Edwards Family History

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MYTH's BUSTED:

01 - Ancestry trees predominantly show the William Edwards as John William Edwards born 1750 and dying 114 years later in 1864 Robertson Co., TN.

The  following historical documents refute the Ancestry trees that list him as' John William Edwards'.  The 1779 marriage record for William Edwards, the 1782 Cumberland Co., VA tax lists [2], the 1783 Cumberland Co., VA. tax list, the 1784 Cumberland Co., VA census, the 1785 Cumberland Co., VA. tax list, the 1790 Cumberland Co., VA. tax list [4] the 1791 Poll [4] or the 1800 Cumberland Co., VA tax list [5], his 1803 Cumberland Co., VA. 'Estate Appraisal'. an 1807 Cumberland Co., VA land indenture and the 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery court case [12], all have him as just William Edwards. Bob's Genealogy Filing Cabinet shows that  Middle Names were rare in the 1700's and did not become common until the mid 1800's.

William Edwards born  abt. 1758.  Based upon his 1779 marriage I've put 1758 as the higher end for his birth to allow for him to have been 21 by 1779) in  Cumberland County, Virginia  An 1827 Cumberland Co., VA Chancery court case lists him as William Edwards deceased.  He is commonly stated to have married Gazelle Ghee in 1779 Cumberland County, Virginia, but that was a transcription error of the marriage record and it was actually Grizzle Ghee.  See Grizzle Ghee vs Gazelle Ghee.  He was the son of William Edwards and Grizzlle Coleman.  He died before December 1803 based upon the estate appraisal and his wife Grizzle (Ghee) Edwards was made administratrix of his estate.  Grizzle (Ghee) Edwards was born abt. 1760 and died after November 1832 when multiple land indentures sold the partitioned lands of her husban William Edwards, Senr. deceased.  Grizzle Edwards appears in the 1830 Cumberland Co., VA. U.S. census. (script signature)

28 Oct 1801 Cumberland County, VA, Court Orders, 18:65 - Security: In the matter of Elijah H. Hendrick vs. John Charlton in Debt, William Edwards came into Court and became Special Bail for the Defendant...

A 10th of August 1807 Cumberland Co., VA land indenture between David M. Randolph of Henrico Co., VA. and Carter Page of Cumberland Co., VA. and the legal heirs of William Edwards decd. that is to say:  Nehemiah Edwards, Ann Edwards, William Edwards, Gideon Edwards, Bernard Edwards and Mary & G. (Gracy) Edwards children of the aforesaid William Edwards decd. of the other part in consideration for the sum of fifteen hundred dollars paid in hand by William Edwards decd. in his lifetime and partly by the hands of Grizzle Edwards administratrix of the aforesaiid William Edwards decd., the receipt of which is acknowledged by David Randolph and Carter Page have bargained and sold on tract of land containing 257 acres lying on both sides of Willis Creek, formerly the property of Archibald Cary decd.

Found on the Library of Virginia website is a 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery court case that again links six of the seven children listed below as siblings, children of the William Edwards in this profile. [12]  The 7th child, Barnet vs. Barnard is linked as outlined at the MYTHs BUSTED link for Bernard in the 1700 / 1800s usage of Barnet vs. Bernard, but is reinforced by Ancestry DNA showing Shared DNA between descendants of Nehemiah Edwards and Bernard Edwards.

Then there are multiple Nov 1832 land indentures referencing Bernard Edwards and Martha his wife of Todd County, KY, William Edwards, Nehemiah Edwards, William H. Edwards (son of Nancy) Gideon Edwards, Mary Edwards (wife of William S. Edwards) and Grizzle Edwards their mother.

The following being children of William Edwards and Grizzle Ghee is supported by an 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery court case [12] that lists the following children::

1. Nehemiah Edwards born 1780 in Cumberland County, Virginia; died 1851 in Logan County, Kentucky.

Nehemiah Edwards 'Settlement of Estate' filed in Logan County, KY listed nine children: Daniel C. Edwards; Peyton Edwards, Edward Hardin Edwards, Ann Edwards, Nehemiah Edwards, Jr. Eveline Edwards, Mary Street Edwards, Martha Giley Edwards, & Lucie Eunis Edwards.  Possibly named Nehemiah after his grandmother Grazzell Coleman Edwards sister Ann Coleman who married Nehemiah Glen.

2. William Edwards born 1781 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Per the Mobjack Bay Coleman's genealogy listing descendants of John Coleman it indicates this William Edwards married Martha 'Patsy' Coleman on Dec. 18, 1817.  She was born December 1, 1793 and died Oct. 21, 1821 (Edwards Family Bible)  The Edwards Family Bible referenced on the Mobjack Bay Coleman's website lists their children as: William Barnet Edwards (born Aug. 21, 1820), Mary E. Edwards (born Sep. 10, 1829.  It also lists: James Archer Edwards, Francis Edwards, and Julius Coleman Edwards, but the Logan County, KY. Estate Settlement for the Gideon Edwards below proves they were children of Gideon and not William Edwards.  Per the Logan County, Kentucky Will Book H he died in December 1846 when his walnut coffin with liner debt was incurred.  Williams estate was settled in 1850 with Dorothy G. Edwards as the Administratrix.  There is a 14 Dec 1835 Todd Co. KY. marriage record for a William Edwards and Dorothy Davenport. 

Based upon the bible record, William Edwards 1781-Dec 1846  1st married Martha �Patsy� Coleman on 18 Dec 1817 by whom William Barnet Edwards (born Aug. 21, 1820) was born; and 2nd to Dorothy Glover Davenport by whom Henry Clay Edwards was born.  A Lynchburg, Virginia wedding annoucement says:

From Lynchburg Virginian, May 26, 1836: Edwards, William married on Jan. 5th last to Miss Dorothy D. Davenport, dau of Ballard Davenport of Todd Co., Ky., by the Rev. Aaron Trabue. Groom of Logan Co., formerly of Cumberland Co., Va. (p. 3, c.3)

  Descendants of Bernard Edwards merged the given name from the first wife, with the middle name of the 2nd wife. And then confused them as Bernard Edwards father, not his brother.

William Edwards February 25, 1850 'Settlement of Estate' filed in Logan County, KY. listed the following children: William B. Edwards, Henry Clay Edwards as the only known heirs.  In the 22 Jan, 1850 settlement Henry Clay Edwards is listed as a little boy and William B. Edwards relinquished all title in said estate to Dorothy G. Edwards indicating he was 21 years of age or older..

3.  Nancy Edwards - born abt. 1783 Cumberland Co.. VA.  The 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery suit references a 2nd William Edwards as a legatee of the estate of William Edwards 1758-1803 deceased.  While the text of the 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery court suit references the 2nd William Edwards an orphan, the survey within the suit indicates William H. Edwards. An 1831 Cumberland Co..VA land indenture states Thomas Coleman and wife Nancy, formerly Nancy Edwards and William H. Edwards son of Nancy. This statement in the 1831 land indenture led me to conclude that Nancy Edwards was a daughter-in-law to William & Grizzle Edwards, however an earlier 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. land indenture states Nancy Edwards was a daughter of William Edwards and her mother as being Grizzle Edwards. It's left unclear if Nancy Edwards married another Edwards, he died, leaving William H. Edwards an orphan or he was born out of wedlock.   In 28 Dec 1826 his mother mother Nancy Edwards then married Thomas Coleman. 

 In the 1850 Logan County, KY. U.S. census Thomas Coleman and his wife Nancy are living with nephew William B. Edwards.  In the 1860 Todd County, KY. U.S. census is found Thomas Coleman, age 75, (widower of Nancy (Edwards) Coleman), legatees mentioned in the 1827 Cumberland County, VA chancery case living in the household of William H. Edwards born 1807 Virginia.  Thomas Coleman was an step-father by marriage to Nancy (     )  Edwards, the mother of William H. Edwards born 1807.  Nancy (Edwards) Coleman died between 1850 and 1860, as only Thomas Coleman is listed living in the 1860 Todd Co., KY. census record household of William H. Edwards.

4. Bernard Edwards or Barnet Edwards born 1785 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Died  1877 Todd County, KY.

IF you wonder why Bernard Edwards 1785-1877 who died in Todd County, KY is included as a son of William Edwards 1758-1803 see my analysis of Myths Busted.

Ancestry DNA shows multiple descendants of Bernard Edwards 1775-1877 and descendants of Nehemiah Edwards 1780-1851 as having Shared DNA at the 5th to 8th cousin level. Bernard Edwards is at the 5th great-uncle level for the webmaster assuming he's a sibling of Nehemiah Edwards.

5. Gracy Edwards born about 1787 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Married James B. Woodson [10] 14 Dec. 1813 Cumberland Co., VA . An 1827 Cumberland Co., VA. Chancery court case is a 2nd source for this marriage. [12]  Appears in the 1850 and 1860 Logan Co., KY U.S. census.

6. Gideon Edwards born 1795 in Old Stone Fort,  Cumberland County, Virginia. Died March 5, 1859, Keysburg, Logan County, Kentucky.  Is listed in the 1840, 1850 Logan Co., KY. U.S. census records.  Probably named for his Uncle 'Gideon Edwards' who was born August 29, 1763 in Cumberland County, Virginia and died April 1810 in Surry, North Carolina.

Some trees show him as John Gideon Edwards, but the 1827 Cumberland Co., VA Chancery Court case [12], the 1840 & 1850 Logan County, KY U.S. census records just show him as Gideon Edwards, as well as his 1859 Logan County, VA. estate settlement documents, and the 1922 death certificate for his son John Edward Edwards.  It was atypical for individuals to have middle names before the mid 1850's. (see Bobs Genealogy Filing Cabinet - Middle Names)

Children mentioned in Gideon Edwards 'Settlement of Estate' were: James Archer Edwards, Francis G. Edwards, Julius Coleman Edwards, William Hopson Edwards (married Minerva Ann Frey), John Edward Edwards, Rebecca Ann Edwards, Mary Elizabeth Edwards, Malissa F. Edwards, & Malone Edwards.

7. Mary Edwards born abt 1800 in Cumberland County, Virginia. Married William S. Gauldin on the 20 Feb 1820 Cumberland Co., VA..  In the 1830 Cumberland Co., VA U.S. census William S. Gauldin's wife is age 20 to 29 so Mary would have been born between 1800-1809. Her mother Grizzle Ghee's birth abt 1760 based upon her age in the 1830 Cumberland Co. VA. U.S. census and her 1779 marriage record means Mary was born closer to 1800, than 1809 due to her mother entering menopause.

Supporting William Edwards and Grizzle Coleman as being the parents of William Edwards____ and grandparents of the above children are the names of Grizzle's siblings, their husbands and her siblings children: Ann Coleman married Nehemiah Glenn (b 1730); Lucy Coleman's oldest son 'Bernard' Glen.  William Edwards younger brother was named Gideon Edwards.

[1] Virginia Marriage Records 1775-1779 - William Edwards and Gazelle Ghee - Cumberland County, Virginia.  "Marriage records, 1749-1840, Cumberland County, Virginia" by Katherine Blackwell Elliott on page 47 states Marriage Bond (M.B.) ___ 24, 1779 Gazelle Ghee License 20/ Cumberland County Fee Book - 1779-1781.   The introduction of Katherine Blackwell Elliott says that many of the marriage bonds of Cumberland County have been lost, and many surviving bonds are now fragmented.   See Grizzle Edwards vs Gazelle Ghee

[2] 1782 Cumberland County, Virginia - Tax Roll - Patience Coleman, Daniel Coleman, Thomas Coleman, Elizabeth Coleman, William Coleman, Andrew Edwards, William Edwards (b. 1750?), Flemstead Edwards, William Edwards (b. 1720?)

[2a] 1783 Cumberland County, VA - Tax Roll - William Edwards, Andrew Edwards, William Edwards, Flamstead Edwards

[3] 1784 Cumberland County, Virginia - Heads of Families - Thomas Coleman, Patience Coleman, Wm. Coleman, Gulleemelmeis Coleman, Parmenus Coleman Elliott Coleman, Andrew Edwards, Archer Edwards, Grissel Edwards (*), Moutre Edwards. * - A William Edwards does not appear in this list. Yet two appear in the 1782 & 1783 Tax Rolls. Was the husband of Grissel deceased and the son living with his mother?

[3a] 1785 Cumberland Co., VA. - tax list - Andrew Edwards, Archer Edwards, Flamstead Edwards, Grizle Edwards, William Edwards.

[4] 1790 Cumberland County, Virginia - Tax list - Elizabeth Coleman, Julielmas Coleman, Julius Coleman, Parmonas Coleman, Patience Coleman, William Coleman, Wyatt Coleman, Andrew Edwards, Flemsted Edwards, William Edwards.

[4a] 1791 Poll  (Burgess Election) Taken at Cumberland, Virginia Court House - In 1791, voters in Virginia counties were given the privilege of voting for members of the House of Burgesses. In Cumberland County, the poll was taken 25 April 1791 for Election of Burgesses: Wm Edwards, Andrew Edwards, Wm Coleman, Gul Coleman

[5] 1800 Cumberland County, Virginia - Tax List - Elliott Coleman, Gulielmus Coleman,  William Coleman, Wyatt Coleman, Andrew Edwards, Flemstead Edwards, William Edwards

[5a] 18 Aug 1807 Cumberland Co., VA. land indenture - David Meade Randolph & Mary his wife and Carter Page conveyed to Trustees of William Edwards the fee simple right to 257 acres of land in Cumberland Co., VA.  Recorded 15 July 1808.  Document lists Nehemiah Edwards, Ann Edwards, William Edwards, Gideon Edwards, Bernard Edwards, Mary & G (Gracy) Edwards as children of William Edwards decd. with Grizzle Edwards administratrix of his estate.  Land lying on Willis Creek, Cumberland Co., VA.

[6] 1810 Cumberland County, Virginia Census Record - Flemstead Edwards, Judith Edwards and Judith Edwards.

[7] Logan County Kentucky Equity and Criminal Court by H.V. Trey, Administrator of Gideon Edwards, deceased, plaintiff, against:

Jeminma Edwards (widow)
James A. Edwards
Julius Coleman Edwards
W.H. Edwards
John E. Edwards
Rebecca A. Edwards
Mary E. Edwards
Malissa F. Edwards
Martha L. Edwards
Malona Edwards
Francis G. Lewis (wife of John B. Lewis)

[8] Logan County Kentucky 'Settlement of Estate' of Nehemiah Edwards, Senr. provides circumstantial evidence of a relationship between Nehemiah Edwards and Bernard Edwards.

Logan County, Kentucky - Will Book H page 340 21-28: One day after date I promise to pay Bernard Edwards the just sum of Fifty dollars and 00 cents for value received of him this 24th day of October 1850.
Nehemiah Edwards, Senr.

Logan County, Kentucky - Will Book H page 340 13-28: One day after date we or either of us promise to pay Bernard Edwards one hundred and Fifty dollars for value received of him this February 17th, 1851
Nehemiah Edwards, Senr.
William B. Edwards"

[9] Hendrick Chronology: Cumberland County, Virginia Court Orders 18:65 - October 28, 1801 Security: In the matter of Elijah H. Hendrick vs. John Charlton in Debt, William Edwards came into Court and became Special Bail for the Defendant....

[10]  "Marriage records, 1749-1840, Cumberland County, Virginia" by Katherine Blackwell Elliott on page 143 states "Woodson, James B. to Gracy Edwards; Marriage Bond December 14, 1813. Surety William Edwards.

[11] Cumberland County, VA, Court Orders, 18:65 - 28 Oct 1801 Security: In the matter of Elijah H. Hendrick vs. John Charlton in Debt, William Edwards came into Court and became Special Bail for the Defendant...

[12] Library of Virginia - Virginia Memory: Chancery Records Index -0049-1827-008.  Locality, Index Number, Original Case Number. CUMBERLAND CO, 1827-008. Plaintiff(s), Defendant(s). Benjamin E Scruggs, WIDOW OF William Edwards ETC. (PDF of the orig. Folder) (PDF of transcription)

[13]  Logan Co., KY Will Book 'H' pages 340 & 377 documents the settlement of the estate of Nehemiah Edwards deced list nine children as identified above. Within Nehemiah Edwards, Senrs Settlement of Estate was a claim by a Subscription Service in Lynchburg, Virginia for money owed. Was subscription used to keep abreast of news and events in Buckingham and Cumberland Counties in Virginia?

[14] 1850 Logan County, Kentucky U.S. census - Living in household

[15] Logan County Genealogical Society: William Edwards estate was settled 22 Jan 1850. Settlement of Estate payments indicate he was deceased in December 1846 based upon a receipt dated December 28, 1846 for a lined walnut coffin for the sum of $12. The estate settlement states: "Presents Wm B. Edwards and Henry Clay Edwards - a little boy- the only heirs known to us or of which we are advised.

[16] Coleman Genealogy: The name Grizzell, a Scottish form of Grace, was usually given to daughters.

[17] The above Coleman Genealogy states that James Archer, Francis and Julius Coleman are children of William Edwards and Martha Coleman based upon an Edwards family bible. And then follows with questioning the birth date on William Barnet Edwards. The same three children also appear as children of Gideon Edwards. Per an Equity Suit as part of the Estate Settlement for Gideon Edwards born 1795, James Archer Edwards is the son of Gideon Edwards since his first wife's surname was 'Archer'. As well as Francis Edwards and Julius Coleman. Julius Coleman Edwards married Lucy P. Graham a younger sister of Martha Jane Graham who married Edward Hardin Edwards which suggests that Julius Coleman Edwards was closely related to Edward Hardin Edward ( a 1st cousin based upon the Estate Settlements ).

[18] Todd County Will Book M, p. 69 as provided to me by Amelia Morrow Gerlicher a descendant of Bernard Edwards:

I Bernard Edwards of the County of Todd and state of Kentucky, knowing the uncertainty of life and feeling desirous to arrange my temporal matters do as to preserve peace and good feelings among my children afer my death, frelly possessed of all my natural[?] faculties and rightly understanding the nature, force and effect of this deed, do make and declare this instrument to be my last will and testament revoking all others.

Item 1st. I wish all first debts against me and my funeral expenses paid.

2d. I have heretofore given to my son William M. Edwards 100 acres of land and 20s per acre, also 1 negro boy worth 35 ? also at sundry times 750s in cash, together with a horse saddle and bridle worth 50s making three thousand one hundred and eighty dollars to be charged against him on the fair settlement of my estate. TO my daughter Mary Ann Cherry, I have given a negro worth Eighteen hundred dollars, one hundred dollars in cash and a horse, saddle and bridle worth one hundred dollars, making two thousand dollars to be charged to her in the settlement of my estate. To my son Booker B. Edwards I have given Eighteen hundred dollars in cash, one horse saddle briddle worth 100s, making nineteen hundred dollars to be charged against him. To Peyton G Edwards I have given a horse saddle and bridel worth one hundred dollars used in view of his attention, care and devotion to me in my declining life I make no other charge against him. To Louisa Young, I have given negro boy worth Seven hundred dollars and a horse saddle and bridle at seventy five dollars making Seven hundred and seventy five Dollars to be charged against her on the final settlement of my estate against my grand children Gilly and Todd Atkins no advancements are charged.

3 I give and bequeath to my son P.G. Edwards one hundred acres of land to include the building and improvements attached to my present residence for which he is to pay three thousand five hundred dollars in the settlement of my estate. 4th I desire that the balance of the land belonging to me together with all my stock of crop description[?] be sold and the proceeds arising from teh sale of my land, stock, furniture and personal effects, together with all money, notes and accruels be equally divided amongst my children and my two granddaughters (they apportioning one share between them) do as to make them equal in the division.

5th I hereby ?? and appoint my son in law George S. Young and my son Peyton G. Edwards Executor of this my last will and testament - In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 29th of September 1869.

Bernard Edwards

Attest: Robt Browder. G.S. Young. Josephine Browder (mark)

Presented to court 11 Jun 1877.

[19] Logan County Genealogical Society: Equity Box 89, Case Number 2291 - H.V. Frey administrator of Gideon Edwards vs. Edwards heirs: Jemima Edwards, W.H. Edwards, John E. Edwards. Rebecca A., Mary E., Malissa F., Martha S., Malone and B.B. Edwards.