William Sullivant of Charlotte County, Virginia d. 1781

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 1, pp. 287-289:
An inventory and appraisement of the estate of William Sullivant was created on August 11, 1781. Most items were for basic household and plantation use. Of interest were two slaves and a parcel of books. William's total estate was valued at 70,555.5 pounds (whereas one pound was valued at 1/200 of a pound specie). The inventory was appraised by Thomas Collier, Richard Collins and John Collier and was recorded in court on January 7, 1782.

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 1, pp. 356a-358:
An account current for the estate of William Sullivant was created by his administrator, Paul Carrington, on July 29, 1784. There are too many transactions to list but there were a few worth mentioning. Several people of interest were paid money including an Owen Sullivant, a Pleasant Sullivant and Leanna Sullivant's second husband, James Adams. The widow was allowed money for the making of four hats, there were also four pairs of shoes purchased for the children and at least one child attended Mr. Collier's school. Most of the money went towards the family's upkeep, such as paying people to carry their tobacco to market. The remaining funds were divided amongst the widow, who received one-third, and William's four sons namely Joel, Paul, W. P. and George Sullivant. Each son received a little over two pounds. The widow received almost five pounds. William's estate also received money from several sources. Of interest were cash received from Owen Sullivant for Margt. Hulet's estate and cash from the estate of Margt. Sullivant. It also appears that William had a 1/9 stake in some tobacco made in 1780. Perhaps this was part of an inheritance? This account current was witnessed by Joel Watkins, James Bouldin, Wm. Morton and was recorded in court on August 2, 1784. There were also a few Perrins mentioned in the accounting, namely George, Samuel and Josephus.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 8, pp. 146a-146:
On March 5, 1798, James Adams, second husband of Leanna Sullivant, and Joel, William Perrin and George Sullivant released Paul Carrington from further administrating of the estate of William Sullivant, deceased. At the time, William's son Paul was deceased and son George was living in South Carolina. The motion was recorded in court on January 7, 1799.

See also: Joel S. Sullivant of Charlotte County, Virginia d. 1840s

Burwell Brown d. 1802-1803 of Charlotte County, Virginia

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 2, pp. 236B-238A:
On September 27, 1802, Burwell Brown wrote his last will and testament. He made provisions for twelve children, six by each of two wives, both unnamed. His first wife bore Epps, William, Lucy Brown Sullivant, James, Sarah Brown Adams and Rebeccah Brown Rudder. His second wife bore Henry, Irvin, John, Joseph C., Nancy and Patsey Brown. Burwell's son Epps was noted as living in Georgia. His son William was given the 204 acres upon which he already lived. His son James was given the 200 acres upon which he already lived. The widow was allowed to stay on the main tract until son Henry came of age. At that time, the property was to be divided with the widow receiving one third. However, if Burwell's widow wanted to move to Georgia, she could sell the entire tract and purchase land in that state. Both sons Joseph and Henry were to be sent to Mr. Stephenson's school for their education. The majority of the other children received various slaves, livestock, furniture and monetary consideration. Worth mentioning was the ordered sale of "my faithful and obedient fellow Dick to some person in the neighborhood who he may choose convenient to his wife." Clement Read and son John Brown were appointed executors, the will being witnessed by W. M. Watkins, William Hames and Samuel Fuqua.

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 238A:
Burwell's will was recorded in court on February 7, 1803 but there was a problem with its execution. John Brown was a minor so Clement Read became the sole executor. However, John reserved the right to join in the execution when he came of age.

Joel S. Sullivant of Charlotte County, Virginia d. 1840s

Charlotte County, Virginia Order Book 5, 1780-1784, p. 42:
On August 5, 1782, James Adams was appointed guardian of Joel, Paul and William Perrin Sullivant, orphans of William Sullivant.

Charlotte County, Virginia Order Book 8, 1789-1792, p. 103:
On October 4, 1790, James Adams was discharged as the guardian of Joel Sullivant.

Charlotte County, Virginia Order Book 11, 1797-1799, p. 153:
On April 2, 1798, James Adams was fully discharged as the guardian of his wards Joel and William Perrin Sullivant.

It appears that Joel was irresponsible with money and was therefore a bad credit risk. From the time he was a young man, until after his death, Joel was in constant financial difficulty. He was even jailed once due to his lack of respect for repaying people. This is hard to believe, seeing as though he had plenty of slaves that could generate a nice income. However, Joel liked to buy things on credit and that practice bit him several times.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 9, pp. 225-226:
On February 24, 1803, Joel entered into a deed of trust with Joseph Venable to secure a debt, owing Quin and William L. Morton merchants ten pounds, eighteen shillings and three pence, current money of Virginia. As security, Joel put up what was likely all of his personal property. He was required to repay the debt before next November 1st or the items would be sold at auction. This deed of trust was recorded in court on June 6, 1803.

According to the 1810 census, Joel and his family were living in Charlotte County, Virginia. His household included on white male under ten, one between ten and fifteen, two between sixteen and twenty-five and one between twenty-six and forty-four. There was also one white female under ten, two between ten and fifteen and one between twenty-six and forty-four. Joel owned eight slaves at the time.

I cannot locate Joel and his family on the 1820 census Virginia.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 15, p. 238:
On April 27, 1820, Joel entered into an agreement with Paul C. Venable, a representative of Venable and Daniels merchants. He owed them $77.425 and was obviously slow to pay. Therefore, Joel was arrested and jailed on April 26, 1820. The next day he made an arrangement to free himself. Joel agreed to allow Mr. Venable the use of two male slaves, Tom and Deck, for the year 1821. He could hire them out and keep the proceeds to cover this debt. The agreement was recorded in court on April 27, 1820.

At the time of the 1830 census, Joel and his family were living in the Eastern district of Charlotte County, Virginia. His household included one white male between fifteen and nineteen, one between sixty and sixty-nine, two white females between twenty and twenty-nine and one between sixty and sixty-nine. Joel also owned three male and four female slaves.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 20, p. 57:
On November 8, 1831, Joel received a deed to 99 3/4 acres he bought at auction from the estate of James Inge, deceased. He paid $205.485 for the property (using a bond), situated on a branch running into the little Roanoke, bound by the estate of Eli Robey and others. The deed was recorded in court on November 8, 1831.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 23, p. 27:
On February 19, 1839, Joel Sullivant sold a bed and furniture, a woman's saddle and a cow and calf to Abner D. Sullivant for $1.00. These items were to be used by Joel's daughter, Margaret H. North, during her lifetime. My assumption is that Margaret may have been without children and Joel wanted the items to stay in the family. He therefore sold them to Abner but allowed Margaret to use them. It would prevent John North's other children from inheriting the property. This deed was recorded in court on March 22, 1839.

According to the 1840 census, Joel and his family were living in the Eastern district of Charlotte County, Virginia. His household included one white male under five, one between five and nine, one between ten and fourteen, one between twenty and twenty-nine, one between thirty and thirty-nine and one between seventy and seventy-nine. There was also one white female under five, one between fifteen and nineteen, one between forty and forty-nine and one between sixty and sixty-nine. Joel owned fifteen slaves at this time. Nine members of the household worked in agriculture and five worked in manufacturing or a trade.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 24, p. 26:
On June 6, 1843, Joel entered into a deed of trust with David H. Smith to secure several debts. He owned Isaac Overby $361.80, Wm. P. Dickinson $100.00 and Wm. M. Watkins $11.38. As security, Joel put up almost all of his personal property, his slaves and his land (99 3/4 acres). He was required to repay all of the debt before March 1, 1844 or the items would be sold at auction. This deed of trust was recorded in court on June 6, 1843.

It seems that the men Joel owed money to were somewhat forgiving. They did not force him to sell the above items, instead waiting until Joel's death to seek repayment.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 26, pp. 224-225:
On December 23, 1846, David H. Smith executed a deed of trust that he entered into with Joel Sullivant back in 1843. It seems that Joel died without repaying Mr. Overby, Mr. Dickinson or Mr. Watkins. Therefore, David needed to sell a tract of land specified in the deed of trust. Joel's son, Abner D. Sullivant, purchased the 99 3/4 acres for $205.48 as well as many of the other articles including general household items and a small amount of livestock. In total, the sale totaled $277.77 and was recorded in court on January 29, 1847.

Charlotte County, Virginia Deed Book 26, p. 260:
On April 16, 1847, David H. Smith further executed the deed of trust that he entered into with Joel Sullivant back in 1843. Most of the articles at this sale were small, general household items that brought a total of $5.97. Again, Abner D. Sullivant made most of the purchases. The sale was recorded in court on April 22, 1847.

I cannot locate Joel on the 1850 census, adding to the evidence that he was deceased by that time.

I cannot locate any will or estate records for Joel in Charlotte County, Virginia.

Josephus Roby of Charlotte County (1790/1800-1830)

There is a Charlotte County, Virginia marriage record for a Josephus Robey dated March 8, 1817. He married Jincey Robertson, daughter of Jesse Robertson. I do not know if this was the same Josephus but I can say that their signatures do not match at all. This Josephus signed his last name "Robey" and our Josephus signed it "Roby."

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 7, p. 3:
"Martha Sulivant and Sarah Roby say that they heard Josephus Roby tell his brother Archibald Roby on friday evening before he died that he wished him to administer on his estate pay all his debts and give the balance of his estate to his wife. 2nd Aug 1830. Archer Roby, Sarah F. Roby, Martha Sullivant.

At a Court held for Charlote County the 6th day of September 1830. On the motion of Elizabeth P. Roby the widow of Josephus Roby decd who produced a memorandum in writing signed by Archer Roby Sarah F. Roby and Martha Sullivant as the Nuncupative Will of the said Josephus Roby decd and it appearing to the Court that Theophilus Price Roby Lovina Frances Roby and Josephus Larkin Roby are the only children and next of kin and they being infants the Court doth assign Archibald Roby as their guardian for the special purpose of defending their interest. And there upon Sarah F. Roby and Martha Sullivant being sworn deposed that the said Josephus Roby in his last illness at his own house in the County of Charlotte on the friday weak proceeding the monday on which he died they heard him tell his brother Archibald Roby that he wished him to administer on his estate pay all his debts and give the balance of his estate to his wife. And thereupon it is ordered that the said memorandum be received and established as the Nuncupative Will of the said Josephus Roby decd. And on the motion of Archibald Roby who made oath according to law certificate is granted him for obtaining letters of administration on the said estate with the Nuncupative Will annexed in due form. Whereupon he with John Middleton George C. Roby and Joel Sullivant his securities entered into and acknowledged bond in the penalty of eight hundred dollars conditioned according to law. Teste. Winston Robinson, c."

Charlotte County, Virginia Will Book 7, p. 11:
On October 8, 1830, Elijah B. Williams, William P. Roberts and Westmoreland "West" High returned an appraisal of Josephus' estate into court. Its total value was $262.64 1/2, which including a negroe woman named Aggy ($50), a silver watch, a lot of books and several other farm and household items.

Descendants of William Edward Lawson, Sr. of Mecklenburg County, Virginia, 1886-1954

Descendants of William Edward Lawson, Sr.

Generation No. 1
1. WILLIAM EDWARD 4 LAWSON, SR. (WILLIAM R. 3, BENJAMIN THOMAS 2, WILLIAM 1) was born November 16, 1886 in Mecklenburg County, Virginia, and died June 13, 1954 in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He married JENNIE HASKINS COLEMAN December 23, 1906 in Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, daughter of JOHN COLEMAN and MALISSA JEFFRIES. She was born July 27, 1887 in Charlotte County, Virginia, and died October 16, 1980 in Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for WILLIAM EDWARD LAWSON, SR.:
Eddie was of medium height and slender build with blue eyes and light brown hair. He worked as both a farmer and liveryman. My dad remembers watching his grandfather curry mules. The Lawsons spent most of their lives in Chase City but moved to Marshall, Virginia, following a job as a guard on their prison chain gang. This move was short lived and the family returned to Chase City.

Eddie would go to Canada in the winter to pick tobacco. My dad remembers getting him from the bus station upon returning home. Eddie would come off the bus so drunk that he could not stand. My grandmother would beat him all the way home, throw him into bed and make him sleep it off for a few days.

More About WILLIAM EDWARD LAWSON, SR.:
Burial: June 15, 1954, Woodland Cemetery, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Cause of Death: sudden coronary occlusion

Notes for JENNIE HASKINS COLEMAN:
Pawpaw never smoke, drank nor wore a bathing suit and she once had thirteen teeth pulled by a veterinarian, with no anesthesia. She was a petite woman, less than five feet tall and weighed less than one hundred pounds. She had a sweet disposition and loved her family dearly.

More About JENNIE HASKINS COLEMAN:
Burial: October 18, 1980, Woodland Cemetery, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Cause of Death: respiratory arrest, pulmonary edema

More About WILLIAM LAWSON and JENNIE COLEMAN:
Marriage: December 23, 1906, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia

Children of WILLIAM LAWSON and JENNIE COLEMAN are:
i. PEARL MALISSA5 LAWSON, b. October 7, 1907, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia; d. June 23, 1992, Richmond, Virginia; m. JOHN WALTER LETT, SR., February 28, 1928, Richmond, Virginia; b. November 21, 1907, Baskerville, Mecklenburg County, Virginia; d. May 18, 1951, Richmond, Virginia.

Notes for PEARL MALISSA LAWSON:
Pearl learned the shoe repair trade from her husband but abandoned the business after his death. She worked the lunch counter at Woolworth’s and spent a few years with the family restaurant, "Lett's Lunch." Pearl was proud of her tight-knit family, being devoted to each child and grandchild. She cooked Sunday brunch every week, consisting of her hamburger soup and snaps with potatoes. Pearl loved Atlantic City's slot machines and the sound of Wayne Newton. She was plagued with heart problems but died following a massive stroke.

More About PEARL MALISSA LAWSON:
Burial: June 26, 1992, Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: respiratory arrest, right cerebral infarction
Medical Information: arteriosclerotic cerebrovascular disease coronary artery disease, diabetes mellitus

Notes for JOHN WALTER LETT, SR.:
Walter followed the shoe repair business from Virginia to Maryland with his brother Marvin. Upon returning to Virginia, Walter opened "Lett's Shoe Repairing" stores in Richmond and Sandston. He played poker at the News Leader Club and watched baseball at Parker Field. He was a hard worker but tight with money and affection. My father recalls going to baseball games with Walter but having to sit in the car while his dad went inside. In the end, a toothache proved to be the sign of an inoperable cancer that ravaged Walter’s body.

More About JOHN WALTER LETT, SR.:
Burial: May 20, 1951, Oakwood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
Cause of Death: carcinoma of lungs, metastasis to brain

More About JOHN LETT and PEARL LAWSON:
Marriage: February 28, 1928, Richmond, Virginia

ii. WILLIAM EDWARD LAWSON, JR., b. October 19, 1915, Virginia; d. August 19, 1968, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia; m. PRIVATE.

Notes for WILLIAM EDWARD LAWSON, JR.:
Ed served during World War II and made his living as a machinist in Chase City, Virginia. I currently possess his scrapbook from the war but plan on returning it to his wife and children.

More About WILLIAM EDWARD LAWSON, JR.:
Burial: August 21, 1968, Woodland Cemetery, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia

iii. HUNTER THOMAS LAWSON, b. August 22, 1924, Virginia; d. October 26, 1951, South Boston, Halifax County, Virginia; m. PRIVATE.

Notes for HUNTER THOMAS LAWSON:
Tony served during World War II. After the war, he and his wife had been fighting one evening. She left so he and a buddy went after her when his fatal accident occurred. Tony was riding in the car as it travelled three miles north of Chase City on Route 49. After the collision, the driver pushed Tony's body into the driver's seat to avoid blame for the accident.

Tony was taken to South Boston and treated at the local hospital. Doctors decided that his leg had to be amputated and prepared for surgery. Tony went into the operating room but died on the table, before having his leg removed. My grandmother recalls seeing the dead wagon outside of the hospital before the surgery. Perhaps the doctors did not think he was going to make it from the start.

Tony's mother was crushed by her son's death and never got over it. She would walk to the cemetery every day to visit his grave and kept the beer can that Tony was holding during the accident in her steamer trunk. In his memory, my grandmother gave me the middle name of Thomas and I have his mother's trunk (although the beer can is missing). I also have Tony's scrapbook that he made during the war.

More About HUNTER THOMAS LAWSON:
Burial: Woodland Cemetery, Chase City, Mecklenburg County, Virginia
Cause of Death: automobile accident