William arrived in Amelia County around 1741 when he first appeared in the tithable lists. He lived in the county until 1772 when he moved to neighboring Prince Edward County. He married Sabrina (—?—) sometime before 1748 when she gave her dower release to a deed. No will has been found for William but three sons are implied by the tax lists of Amelia County: Robert, William and John.
William's birth year can only be roughly estimated. He was over 21 when he moved to Amelia County in 1741 so he was born before 1720.[1] His first son was born about 1739 when William was probably over 21 or born before 1718.[2]
No marriage record for William Foster and Sabrina (—?—) has been found. They married sometime before 1748 when she gave her dower release to the deed from William Foster to Hector Truly.[3] Sabrina again gave her dower release 1772 for the deed from William Foster to John Foster.[4] That is the last record found for Sabrina.
William lived in Amelia County until 1772 when he sold his land to John Foster. The same year, William purchased 100 acres in neighboring Prince Edward County. The deed described William as being of Amelia County.[5] In 1788, William Foster Jr. of Amelia County sold those 100 acres to Zachariah Compton "whereon William Foster Sr. now lives". Robert Foster and Ben Foster witnessed the deed.[6] No probate records have been found for William in Prince Edward County.
Two men named William Foster lived in Amelia County from 1741 until 1767. Both men lived in Raleigh Parish and were about the same age. One died testate in 1767 and the other left the county in 1772.Tax records distinguish the two men by the waterways they lived on, Stocks Creek and Buckskin Branch. Land records show that William on Stocks Creek was married to Sebrina. The will of William on Buckskin Branch names his wife, Ann.
Robert Foster was born about 1739 as he first appears on the tithable lists with William Foster in 1755. By 1769 Robert was in Prince Edward County as the first pastor of Sailor Creek Baptist Church, having been baptized by Rev. Jeremiah Walker. Robert died testate in Prince Edward County, his will dated 4 Oct 1796 and proved 13 Jan 1797. His will names his wife Elizabeth, daughter Maiden, son Moses (under age), granddaughter Jenny (daughter of son William, deceased) and sons Ezekial, Robert, Benjamin and Joshua.
William Foster was born about 1747 as he first appears on the tithable lists in 1763 under his father.[7] The 1782 personal property tax list for Amelia County shows William Foster (son of William) differentiated from William Foster (son of Thomas).[8] In a deed dated 15 Nov 1788 and recorded 15 Sept 1790 in Prince Edward Co., William sold the 100 acres his father was living on to Zachariah Compton. The deed describes him as William Foster Jr. of Amelia County.[9]
John Foster was born around 1745. About 1767 he married Sarah (—?—), widow of Thomas Wingo. By 1787 he was in Spartanburg County, South Carolina when he bought land from James Foster, son of Thomas on Stocks Creek. He died about 1832 when his son John Jr. applied for and his son Weldon received letters of administration on his estate. Another son Richard is implied from land records.