Tag Archives: Goochland County

Goochland Pryors: My Handwriting Questions

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I went through my notes on the Goochland County Pryors asking the question: “What is the source for a “Doctor” Samuel Pryor?” Really, what’s the source?

Oh, this was a fun search because I may have found the answer in the Chancery Court Records. I now suspect that there have been some serious misreadings of the old records.

In just one case — Shadrach Vaughan V. Samuel Pryor filed in the Chancery Court in Goochland County 1787 — are some interesting samples. And an aside to fill in the relationship. Shadrach married Mary Meriwether the daughter of Frances Morton and her first husband Nicholas Meriwether. The Samuel Pryor who was the defendant in the suit is the son of William Pryor. Vaughan’s complaint clearly states that Samuel was the executor of his father William’s estate.

First Samuel Pryor is referred to as Capt. Samuel Pryor.

samuel-sample2

Capt. Samuel, son of William and Sarah

I’ve seen this several times in the Chancery suits… “Samuel Pryor Gent.”, ie. gentleman. I wonder how many times this has been interpreted as general by researchers.

samuel-sample1

Samuel Pryor Gent.

There’s an accounting in the case file that shows the debts and the credits of Samuel Pryor’s account with the plaintiff. First lets look at the heading of the credits.

samuel-sample4

“Cr.” shows the credits of William Pryor, married to Sarah Wood

The “Cr” is for credits. I can tell by looking at the numbers and calculations. When you go to the top of the page you’ll see this…

samuel-sample3

“Dr.” reflects the debts of William Pryor, married to Sarah Wood

I’ve seen where Pryors have been referred to as “Doctor” Pryor. These Pryors were all gentlemen farmers and sometime soldiers. There were doctors in the Pryor line, but I suspect in most cases the “Dr” for debit has been read as doctor.

Category: Virginia Pryors | Tags: ,

Goochland County Pryors – Family Tree Revisions

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I hate how complicated the Pryors become. I work better when I have a chart to follow. I created this chart to show the relationships gleaned from the 3 Chancery Cases in the past posts.

goochland-tree-1

Oh boy, did I have the Pryors all wrong. I had Samuel Pryor who married Frances as the son of William and Sarah. Time to makes some changes in the database.

There’s another Pryor on this chart that needs some attention. I’ve seen several online family trees that include John Pryor, son of William and Sarah. These trees show John moving to Georgia and living long past 1785. Sorry, wrong John. The John who married Lydia Bossier will need to be revisited.

 

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Goochland County Pryors – Transcriptions of Suits

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I love reading the old documents and deciphering the quirks in the fussy old handwriting, however I suspect not everyone finds it to be fun. So, I’m posting transcriptions of the key documents from my last post.

The biggest nugget in these documents is revealed by Samuel in his answer to Frances Pryor’s complaint. He reveals that Frances’ deceased husband, Capt. Samuel, was his uncle. This means that Capt. Samuel was William (married to Sarah Wood)’s brother.

WILLIAM SMITH AND WIFE
VS.
SAMUEL PRYOR, ETC.
FILED IN GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA
FILED 1785
ORIGINAL LOCATED AT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINA
LINK: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1798-002

Transcription Notes: The original document is damaged on each edge, so words are lost. Where words are lost I have used — to indicate what is unreadable.Humbly complaining — unto your worship your orator and oratrix William Smith and Sarah his wife. That in the month of May 1777 William Pryor father to your oratirix departed this — — first made his last will and testament (thereby among other –) devising to your oratrix the one fifth of six negros to be chosen by Sarah the relict of the said William out of his — said William’s whole estate after this and Sarah’s death. — — Sarah departed this life on or about the day of — — persons were appointed by your worshipful Court — your oratrix her proportion of the said slaves who — — said purpose but not finishing the said business on — Samuel Pryor took upon himself the power and authority of — allotment to your oratrix pretending that his own act was the act and dec’d of the said Wm(?) so appointed: That your oratrix –fiding in and depending on the said Samuel received a Negro – as her property who has since come to the possession of your orator William by his intermarriage with your oratrix the said slave being infirm your orator and oratrix think — value than their proportion of the said slaves. That said dec’d by another Clause of his said will divided — oratirx a like proportion of the res– of his — to be allotted to your oratrix immediately on the said — death by assignment in Rund?: That the said — the said Samuel, John, and William Pryor and the — ?Fleming executors of his last will and testament — -alone has taken upon himself the burthen of executor of the said will but has failed to make a division as — by his testators last will and testament. That the said testators — debts due him to considerable amount at his death — crop of grain and tobacco was made on the testors —the year of his death a proportion of — fifth of which your orator and oratrix are entitled to under the residuary clause aforesaid, the said Testator having provided another fund for the payment of his debts — orator and oratrix further show that hey have often said? to the said Samuel in a friendly way to settle adjust the aforesaid promises without a suit and received for answer that he, the said Samuel would come to any settlement til thereto by law compelled– which actings and doings are contrary to equity and — cons– and manifestly tend to injury and opnry? — orator intended consideration where of and for — your orator is without remedy in the pr– the strict rules of the common law and commonly believed in Chancery where fraud or dit–e — performances incurred and justice most amply ad– to the end therefrom that the said Samuel may — singular the promises on his corporal — — name were again to be repeated and interrogates respectfully that he may declare whether the said — did not deport their life about the time of — first made his last will and testament in — ofrm aforesaid? whether your oratrix was not entitled one fifth or to what their proportion of six slaves and claim of by Sarah as aforesaid? whether and —division and by whom her turn been in — of tha- slaves? Was then not debts to a considerable — due to the said de–nt at his death and to what any then not or crop of tobacco and grain made on — the year of the testators death or wh– made and how much? Has a division of the — made agreeable to t he last will and testament — and wherefore — — not been made? [Has]not a fund for the payment of his debt — the said defendant independent of debts du — made in the plantation the year of his — that your worship may made such further — in the promises as are agreeable to equity and god. — may it please your worship to — orator and oratrix a writ for subpoenas.

And in the same Chancery Case file.

WILLIAM SMITH AND WIFE
VS.
SAMUEL PRYOR, ETC.
FILED IN GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA
FILED 1785
ORIGINAL LOCATED AT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINA
LINK: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1798-002

Amendment to the original complaint?To the worshipful court of Goochland County in Chancery. Humbly complaining shew unto your worships your orator and oratrix William Smith and Sarah his wife That some time about the (blank) day of (blank) 17(blank) John Pryor brother to your Oratrix departed this life having as your orator and oratrix are informed & are assured first made his last will and Testament thereby devising and bequeathing that his whole estate real & personal be equally divided among his brothers and sisters. That the said will fell into the hands of Samuel Pryor another brother of your Oratrix as the said Samuel has been often heard to declare while he the said Samuel supposed that some younger brother or younger brother’s son was heir at Law to the said John and when the said Samuel came to learn that he himself was the legal heir & was entitled to more exclusive of then under the said will he the said Samuel began to prevaricate & say there was a Will executed by the said John but the was illegal & —cupated as being signed by only two witnesses: your orators further shew that the said John also dyed (sic) possessed of a personal estate to some amount to one fifth of which your Orator and Oratrix (they having intermarried) are entitled under the act of Distributions. That the said Samuel — kept posession of the said estate ever since the death of the said John without any legal steps taken ’til your worship’s April Court 1785 when your Orator moving that the administration should be granted in due course of law the said Samuel as a further shift to delay your orator & Oratrix of their just rights first in his claim to the administration as real of –; That the said Samuel previous to taking out letter of administration had actually sold some of the slaves and other property. All which actings and doings are contrary to Equity & good conscience & manifestly tend to injure & oppress your orator. In tender consideration whereof & for as much as your Orator is without remedy in the premises at common law & is only relievable in Equity where deeds cancelled or concealed are compelled to be given up the contents discovered & established & specifically performed & Justice most amply administered. To the end therefore that the said Samuel may answer all …
… This respondent further shews that the said John Pryor died possessed of a tract of land left him by the Will of his father William Pryor and to which…

The following is the complaint filed by Frances Pryor and answer to the complaint made by Samuel Pryor, executor of William Pryor’s estate.

FRANCES PRYOR’S COMPLAINT

FRANCES PRYOR
VS.
WILLIAM PRYOR, ETC.
FILED IN GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA
FILED c.1779
ORIGINAL LOCATED AT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINA
LINK: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1786-006#imgTo the Worshipful court of Goochland County in Chancery sitting humbly complaining.
Sheweth unto your worships your oratrix Frances Pryor widow and relict of Samuel Pryor dec’d that your oratrix dec’d husband being — possessed in her own right of sundry land and slaves, particularly of an hundred acres of land in the County of Goochland and four hundred and eighty four acres in the County of Dinwiddie and of the following slaves to wit. (blank) departed this life on about the (blank) day of (blank) of 176(blank) leaving his Heir at law (blank) Pryor an infant under the age of twenty one years. That William Pryor another defendant hereto took upon himself the admin. of her said husband’s estate in consequence possessed himself of the slaves aforesaid and all his personal estate that your oratrix by the death of her said Husband became entitled to her Dower in all his land and likewise in all his slaves and personal Estate after payment of his debts. That the debts of her said husband being as she is informed paid, your oratrix well hoped to have her dower in his Estate — and assigned without further trouble. But now said it is, may it please said Worships, that he said defendant confederating together to your said Oratrix refuse to assign her dower either in her deceased husband’s land or slaves. in under consideration whereof and to the end that the said defendants upon their corporal (several words missing due to hole in paper) answer make to all (several words missing due to hole in paper) in repeated and interrogated that more –ally that they may set forth of what land and slaves and of the personal Estate to what amount …
(Note: the handwriting becomes unreadable at the end of the document)

SAMUEL PRYOR’S ANSWER

FRANCES PRYOR
VS.
WILLIAM PRYOR, ETC.
FILED IN GOOCHLAND COUNTY, VIRGINIA
FILED c.1779
ORIGINAL LOCATED AT THE LIBRARY OF VIRGINA
LINK: http://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/full_case_detail.asp?CFN=075-1786-006#imgThe answer of Samuel Pryor executor of William Pryor deceased who was administrator of Samuel Pryor deceased to the bill of complaint exhibited against him by Frances Pryor, widow and relict of the said Samuel Pryor deceased complainant.This defendant saving to himself all benefit of exception to the complaints said bill answer thereto or to so much thereof as he is advised is material for him to answer unto, he answereth and saith that he believes his uncle said Samuel Pryor deceased died seized and possessed of the land in the bill mentioned and sundry slaves an inventory of which is recorded in Goochland court, and to which this defendant for greater certainty refers and prays the same may be taken as part of this his answer. He admits that the said William Pryor deceased took upon himself the administration of the said Samuel Pryor’s estate and by virtue there of possessed himself of the same. That the said William Pryor, the defendant’s father, in the month of (blank) 177(blank) departed this life having duly published his last will and testament and there of appointed this defendant his executor who took upon himself the burthen and execution of the same, and by virtue thereof possessed himself of so much of the said Samuel Pryor’s estate as he could find, consisting of (blank) slaves. That the said William Pryor in  his lifetime paid the debts of the said Samuel Pryor to a large amount, but left many of them unpaid. That this defendant since the death of the said William Pryor hath paid of the said Samuel Pryor’s debts to the amount of (blank) on account of which he is ready to exhibit when called upon, and hath now in his possession (blank) slaves belonging to the said estate to wit (blank).  This defendant is willing that proper persons may be appointed to lay off  and assign to the complainant her dower in the said land and slaves according to law. He denies all combination and hopes to be (illegible) with his costs and without what that (illegible).
Signed Samuel Pryor
Goochland.
Mr. Samuel Pryor came before me and made Oath that the above answer is true. Certified this 18th Oct. 1779
Signed Thomas T. Bates

How do I know that William Smith and wife Sally AND Frances were suing the same Samuel Pryor? One big clue is that Samuel used the same lawyer, Thomas Bates, to answer both suits.

Samuel Pryor's answer to William Smith and wife Sally (Pryor) suit. Samuel's lawyer was Thomas Bates.

Thomas Bates was the magistrate on BOTH suits.

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Goochland County Pryors – 3 Suits Reveal Samuel Pryor ID

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This week I have several posts all about Goochland County.

I’m excited to say I think we have one less Samuel Pryor to contend with in Goochland County. I feel that I spent a lot of time reading the Chancery Court cases, but I really needed to spend some extra time analyzing them and figuring out how the dates all fit together.

There was a Samuel Pryor in Goochland County. I think most researchers recognize him as the Samuel who married Prudence Thornton. But wait, there’s something interesting in the Chancery cases.

In about 1768 – I’m guessing at the date because the old suits aren’t date stamped like modern suits, however the first continuance was to July 1768–  a suit was filed in the Chancery Court of Goochland County: Reuben Meriwether, et al V. William Pryor the administrator of Samuel Pryor’s estate.  This indicates that Samuel was deceased by that time.

william-1768

There is an important point to note: William was an “administrator” of the estate, an indicator that Samuel Pryor died without a will. This matches nicely to the Samuel Pryor who died without a will in 1766 resulting in an estate settlement. The suit filed by Reuben Meriwether noted above has a 1770 notice that summons William Pryor to appear before the justices, a strong indicator that William was alive in 1770. I wish there was a complaint in the file so we could know the substance of Reuben’s suit, however I suspect it involved requesting his mother’s dower and an inheritance from his deceased father, Nicholas Meriwether Sr.

william-1770

William Pryor who was the administrator of Samuel’s estate died sometime between 1770 and 1779. In 1779, ten years after the suit was filed, it was amended to show William Pryor the administrator of Samuel’s estate was now William Pryor deceased. And there’s more… Samuel Pryor the executor of William’s estate was added to the suit. That’s interesting because it indicates that William left a will.

There is a 1777 will for William Pryor in Goochland County. Let’s see how this fits in.

william-1779

Another Chancery Court case was filed in Goochland County in about 1785: William Smith and wife V. Samuel Pryor.  William Smith was married to Sarah/Sally Pryor who had previously been married to Matthew Payne. The suit states that her father was William Pryor, deceased and her mother had been Sarah (likely Sarah Wood per a 1758 bond William filed with Valentine Wood naming Henry as  his wife’s father). The suit identifies Sally Smith’s brothers as Samuel Pryor (the defendant), John Pryor who was deceased in 1785, and William Pryor. The suit also states that a Mr. Fleming was the executor of William Pryor.

The names in the 1785 Chancery Case all match the will filed in 1777 for William Pryor who appointed Col. William Fleming his executor and named his wife Sarah, children Samuel, William and John, Sally Payne, Patty and Mary and witnesses James Meriwether, Nicholas Meriwether, David Wood Meriwether, Meredith? Price. This certainly sounds like the family members named in the Chancery case.

I re-read another Chancery Court Case: Frances Pryor V. the Executor of William Pryor. The suit must have been filed around 1779 because the defendant’s answer was filed 18 October 1779. Frances states that she was married to Samuel Pryor and that he died in 1760-something (the actual year is blank in the suit). William Pryor took on the position of executor of Samuel’s estate and afterwards died and “his son Samuel” was the representative of his estate. Frances appears to have filed suit against the same Samuel Pryor that William Smith and Sally sued.

An account of the estate in the case of Frances Pryor V. William Pryor. "Capt. Samuel Pryor Estate to Frances Pryor widow and relict of Capt. Samuel Pryor deceased." Dates 1767 and 1768.

An account of the estate in the case of Frances Pryor V. William Pryor. “Capt. Samuel Pryor Estate to Frances Pryor widow and relic of Capt. Samuel Pryor deceased.” Dates 1767 and 1768.

Frances’ suit says she and Samuel had one child who was under twenty-one, who is likely the Samuel Pryor baptized at St. James Northam parish in 1762.  I know I and other researchers have believed Samuel the son of William and Sarah (Wood) Pryor was Frances’ husband– not true because that Samuel was alive well past 1785 and engaged in a lawsuit with William Smith and Sally Pryor. Oh, it does get confusing with all the same names!

Pryor Relationships in 3 Chancery Suits

Generation 1: Samuel and Prudence. Generation 2: Samuel and William Pryor. Generation 3: Children of Samuel and William and their spouses’ children. Orange boxes show the relationship of the 3 Chancery suits.

 

 

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John Pryor and Mary New – This John Pryor on Beaver Creek Dam

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1435495_49368213One of our Facebook friends has asked who is the John Pryor on Beaverdam Creek in Goochland County, VA. They would like to know if he’s the John Pryor who was involved in the attack on Fort Donnally. Thanks for asking! It’s time to gather up all we know about this John Pryor.

Let’s tackle the easiest answer straight away. This John Pryor was NOT at Fort Donnally. The attack on Fort Donnally occurred in 1778. This John Pryor wrote his will in 1755 and by 1756 a Chancery Case was filed disputing the estate and referring to John Pryor as deceased. The John Pryor at Fort Donnally was the brother of William and Nicholas who were born in Albemarle County, VA. [see John Pryor – Was He Really Killed by Indians? When?

I never know where these old locations are actually located, so I look at maps and Google a lot. When I looked up Beaverdam Creek I found that it’s along the James River, running through Goochland County, past Henrico County to Richmond. A fascinating little fact surfaced… the parish of St. James Northam is now Beaverdam Episcopal. What’s St. James? This is the parish where William Pryor who married Sarah Wood had his children baptized [see parish register].

I did a Google search to see who lived in the Beaverdam Creek area: John Webb, John Pryor, John Wright, James Christian, Thomas Christian, Joseph Pleasants. John Pleasants, John Woodson, John Bolling, Edward Curd, Henry Gill. These surnames were all in early deeds from 1713 to 1720’s. I believe the following records are of the John Pryor who was on Beaver Creek and also of associated families… New, Wright, Woodson, Christian.

The tough question that can’t be answered strait away is “Who is this John Pryor?” If he was living in St. James Northam Parish, then was he related to Samuel Pryor and Prudence Thornton or their son William Pryor and wife Sarah Wood? I think he’s related to Harris Pryor of Bedford County, VA because Harris witnessed the will of John Wright (the son in law of John Pryor of Beavercreek). Harris was born around 1740 so,  Harris could be a child of one of John Pryor’s siblings.

1722 Deed Henrico Co.- William New, February Court 1722 Henrico County Va. Page 230. John PRYER, Thomas Bailey, and Joseph Aslin prove deed of Edmund New to William New.

1722 Deed Henrico Co – February 1722 Henrico County. John PRYER, Thomas Baily and Joseph Ashlin prove deed of Edmund New to John Tuly.

1726, 4 July, Henrico County, Virginia Proved 5 September 1726. Pages 50-51. I Edmund New of Henrico County and St. James Parish. To son Edmund New all my land lying and being on lower side of upper branch Cavold? little creeks of Licking Hole. To Edmund New my son, all my nursery of apple trees. To my daughter Prissilla New all remainder part of my land lying on upper side of little creek of Licking Hole. To loving and lawful wife Mary New and son Edmund and daughter Prissilla personal effects to be equally divided between them and not to be appraised after my decrease. As also my full right to a forty pound bond of Thomas Christian’s all to them and their heirs. Wife, son Edmund, daughter Prissilla executors. I give and bequest to my grandson John New son to my son Edmund New deceased and to William New, Mary Prior, Rebecca Christian, Sarah Tuley, Eliz Patterson, Ann New and Henry New one shilling sterling money as their full due of dower.

1727 Deed Henrico Co – John PRIER 7 Thomas Christian, 400 Acres N.L. , Henrico Co. on N. side of James River; on Edmond New‘s line; 40 Shillings, October 13, 1727 Patent Book No. 13 Page 222

1730 Deed Henrico Co – Charles Chirstian of Charles City, 400 acres Goochland County adjoining Thomas Chirstian and John PRIER on Wild Boar Creek. 28 September 1730

1733 Deed Goochland Co. – John Wright 300 acres in Goochland County on branch of Beaver Dam Creek adjoining line of Thomas Christian and John PRIER. Charles Christian’s and Roger Powell’s line

1735-1737 Court Order Goochland Co.- In the action of trespass between David Walker, plaintiff, and John Woodson, defendant, the following jury is sworn; Robert Hughes, John Laine, John McBrid, Charles Lynch, Thomas Walker, John PRIOR, Peter Davis, Richard Crouch, Joseph Dabbs, Wm. Harris, Wm Arrington, John Spears, who return with their verdict. When the plantiff is called, he answers to his name, upon which the defendant moves his appearance may be recorded, on which motion the divided. John Fleming, Daniel Stoner, and Thomas Dickins are of the opinion his answering is an appearance, and William Mayo, Isham Randolph, and Thomas Turpin that it is not. The suit is continued for another Justice to give his opinion. (My Note: John Layne died May 1755 on Licking Hole Creek which places him as a neighbor of Edmund New above. Elizabeth Pryor married David Lane in 1757 at St. James Northam church)

1735 Vestry Record – page 286: [I find date between p. 284 and this p. 286. Therefore, I assume a date of 11 Feb 1735/6.] Orderd into one precinct for processioning, the Lands of Christopher Cawthon, George Alves, John Spradling, Nicho Gentry (Nicholas Gentry), Samuel PRYOR, Wm Cawthon, Jas. Philips (James Philips) & Wm HARRIS, and that Samuel PRYOR & Christopher Cawthon, See the said processioning performed &c Who made the following return, The Within Order Complyed with in the presence of David Alves Lawrence Forjuson (Lawrence Ferguson?), John Rofs (Ross?), John PRYOR, & James McLoughland by us Samuel PRYOR, Chris’r Cawthon

15 June 1736 William Mills of St. James Parish, Goochland, sold James Walker 300 acres on branches of Licking Hole Creek for L15.5 part of a greater tract Mills took up by patent 11 April 1732 bounded by Samuel Coleman, Chiles corner, Scott’s line, Kerby’s line & Henry Chiles. Mary released dower. Wit: John Pryor, Henry Chiles, Peter Patrick, Goochland Deeds & Wills Book 2 page 231 (Possibly John Pryor who married Mary New. John Pryor was the grandfather of Samuel Coleman’s wife Anne Wright Coleman)

1736 Court Order – June 1736, Action of Debt between Richard Dean Plaintiff and Jonas Lawson Defendant the following Jury are Sworn, Henry Chiles, Thomas Christian, David Walker, John PRIOR, James Robinson, Charles Lynch, Thomas Bailey, John Laine, John Cox, Stephen Cox, John Biby and John Twitty who after sometime bringing their verdict which on the Plaintiff motion is admitted to Record and is as followeth. We find for the Plaintiff nine pounds, twelve shilling and six pence current money, Thomas Christian foreman (Goochland County, Virginia Order Book 4, Page 71, September Court 1736.)

1737 Complaint filed in Goochland Chancery Court
Edmund New, an infant, prosecutes John Lane. Plaintiff summoned Thomas Christian and William Christian. Signed by Henry Wood, Clerk of the Court. 30 Sept. 1737. | William Christian for full satisfaction for the bond that was give by Thomas Christian Sr. to Edmund New Sr., both defendants of witness my hand. Edward New (his Mark). Wits Jacob Oglesby, John Wright (his mark).

and a second case…

1739 Complaint filed in Goochland Chancery Court
Hugh Morris and Mary his wife, executrix of Edmund New, deceased. Major Lewis and Priscilla his wife. Signed H. Wood Clerk of the court. Sent to Arthur Hopkins sheriff for service.

1740 Indenture – On 17 Sep 1740, the purchase of a tract of land by William New from Thomas Thornell. The land was on the North Side of the James River, 150 acres that had belonged to Edmund New, deceased, bordered by Thomas Bailey, Ebenezer Adams, Robert Rogers, David Patterson, Major Lewis. Signed by William and Pricsilla New. Witnessed by James Christian, Robert Christian, and John PRIOR.

1747 – Will of John Woodall. Proved 19 Mar 1750. Heirs: sons John and William Woodall, daughter Sarah PRYOR

1748 – Will of a Samuel Coleman was witnessed by John PRYOR, John Right (Wright?), and Robert L. Woodson.

1750 Will – Proved 19 Sept 1750, Robert Woodson died, husband of Rebecca PRYOR. Names children John, James, Benjamin, Robert, Eliza, Mary, and Sarah.

1753 Marriage – Alexander Trent to Elizabeth Woodson, consent from Charles Bates, Stephen Woodson, deceased. Security: John Woodson. Witness: Will PRYOR, H. Wood, Matthew Woodson, Samuel Branch. 1 Jan 1753.

1755 Will – Proved 19 Aug 1755, will of John PRYOR, daughters Ann Wright, Rebecca Woodson, grandson John Woodson, witnesses Thomas Bailey and Ann Bailey
WILL OF JOHN PRYOR OF GOOCHLAND CO. VA
Daughter: Ann Wright 50a. with plantation whereon she now dwells beginning at the low line so running as the rode goes till the 50a. is included; daughter REBECCA WOODSON 5 shillings curr.; grandson JOHN WOODSON two Negroes Will & Ick and all my estate real & personal excepting what has been given as above mentioned; grandson John Woodson executor. Witnesses, JACOB OGLESBY, ANN BAILEY, THOMAS BAILEY. Dated July 24, 1755. Proved Aug. 19,1755, and further proved Mar. 16, 1756. Albemarle Co., VA, Vol. 7, p. 77.

1756 Chancery Court Case – Filed June 1756. John Wright and wife Anne, daughter of John PRYOR deceased.vs. John Woodson, son of Rebecca Woodson, daughter of John Pryor. Suit states John Pryor came into 200 acres of land in about 1727 in Henrico County, which is now part of Goochland county, and the land is where the Wrights were living in 1756. The Wrights alledge that John Pryor gave them land only to have the Woodsons convince him in his last sickness during 1755 to deprive them of the land in his will. The case was dismissed in 1758 by agreement. Signed by Valentine Wood, clerk of the court
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