Birth26 Oct 1665, Virginia25,26
Residencebef 1688, Surry County, Virginia
Residence1688, James City County, Virginia27
Residence1693, Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia27
Residence1730, Saint Martin's Parish, Hanover County, Virginia27
Residence1738, Saint James Parish, Goochland County, Virginia27
Will Dated12 Dec 174328 Age: 78
Deathabt 20 Nov 1744, Goochland County, Virginia
Will Proved20 Nov 1744, Goochland County, Virginia28 Age: 79
BurialMeriwether Burial Ground, Albemarle County, Virginia29
Anst File#9NPT-FCF
OccupationFarmer/Planter, land speculator; Attorney
Spouses
Birthabt 1670, New Kent County, Virginia
Deathbef 21 May 1762, Virginia31
BurialMeriwether Burial Ground, Albemarle County, Virginia32
Marriageabt 1687, Saint Peter's Parish, New Kent County, Virginia33
Biography notes for Nicholas Meriwether
Nicholas Meriwether II (1665–1744)
Nicholas II is the only son of Nicholas I to leave male descendants. During his long life he accumulated much wealth in the form of land, at one point owning over 33,000 acres in what is now Albemarle County. His Will, one of the longest recorded in Virginia, was witnessed by Peter Jefferson, father of Thomas Jefferson.
For extensive details on the life and accomplishments of Nicholas, see The Meriwether Family in America: Volume I, The Colonists.
Notes for Nicholas Meriwether
Birth of Nicholas Meriwether
Two sources state that Nicholas was born 26 Oct 1667. The first is an old mutilated Register in the possession of George Wood Meriwether,
34 supposedly written by his great-grandfather, William Meriwether (M121), son of Nicholas. GWM actually cites a date of 1647, but this is obviously in error and can be explained by the stated condition of “mutilated” for the state of the Register. This 1647 date was repeated by later writers, but can be discounted.
The other source is a leaf from, supposedly, the Bible of Nicholas Meriwether II himself. The Bible leaf was in the possession of family in Louisville, Kentucky and a copy was provided to William R. Griffith.
15 Attempts to locate this Bible leaf today have been unsuccessful.
The date of 1667 conflicts with other sources that strongly indicate that Nicholas was age 21 before Oct 1688 and a year of 1665 seems more likely. This is the date that the Meriwether Society has chosen to accept. See "Volume I: The Colonists" for additional references and details.
Notes for Nicholas Meriwether
Death Date of Nicholas Meriwether
The exact date of the death of Nicholas is not known, although at least one reference specifies 5 Nov 1744 (NHM, p. 29
30). No documents have been found to substantiate this claim. The only date we can go by is 24 Nov 1744, the day his will was proved in Goochland, and most early Meriwether genealogies (GWM
34, LHAM
35, WRG
15) simply state he died in the fall or autumn of 1744. Courts in some counties met every 3 months. Assuming this was the case in Goochland, he could have died just before the previous court, namely in August or even late July. It is doubtful that families rushed from the death bed to the courthouse with the will. Further, the witnesses needed to be notified and assembled.
Before Albemarle was formed in 1744, Nicholas was living in Goochland but the farm he was living on fell into Albemarle afterwards. If he died after the formation of Albemarle, his will should have been filed in Albemarle since, as far as is known, he did not own any other property in Goochland. So, the date of the formation of Albemarle might be a clue as to when he died. The assembly approved the formation of Albemarle in September of 1744. However, since the first Albemarle court was held in ____ 1745, the Goochland filing may have been a practical consideration.
Col. Nicholas Meriwether II amassed a large quantity of land, at one point owning about 33,000 acres. His will, one of the longest recorded in Virginia, was witnessed by
Peter Jefferson, father of
Thomas Jefferson.
(gmb, jmo)
Notes for Nicholas Meriwether
"The Farm"
Most histories of Nicholas mention that he built, and died on, a plantation known as “The Farm.” As the following will show, Nicholas himself never referred to any of his property by that name, nor did those who inherited his lands. The first use of that name is therefore lost in the mists of antiquity.
“Nicholas moved to Goochland between 1735 and 1738. He was living on 1,849 ½ acres when he died. This consisted of 1,020 acres (all but 20 acres on the west bank of the Rivanna) which he cobbled together into a patent from a purchase from Charles Lynch and a previous patent, and 819½ acres that he purchased from Thomas Graves in 1738. In his will he gave his grandson Richard 700 acres of the Graves purchase and the remaining 1,139 (dropping the ½ acre) acres to grandson Nicholas Lewis. In neither case did he mention the term “The Farm,” although he did refer to “my Plantation commonly called and known by the name of Roundabout …” in another bequest. He did use the term “my Plantation and whereon I now live …” referring to the 1,020 acres of the 1,139 acres that he gave Nicholas Lewis. Therefore I conclude that NMII did not use the name “The Farm” or, at least, there is no proof that he did. Griffith says that Nicholas lived and was buried on the east bank of the river which means the 20 acres on that side.
[Nicholas] Lewis sold the 140 acres (added ½ acre) on the east bank in 1765 to Henry Fry. He did not use the term “The Farm,” but rather referred to the tract given to him by his grandfather. Although he may have lived in the house on the east bank for a time, Lewis supposedly built a house on the west side of the river, now part of what is called “The Farm.” He later sold other parts of this tract without using the term. At this point I don't know when that term was first used. More work is needed but I am sure that NMII never used it.” GMB 2 Jun 2002
Notes for Nicholas Meriwether
THE OLD FAMILY GRAVEYARD, A DISGRACE TO ALL THE DESCENDANTS 36
Following the county road already described, starting at Charlottesville and as soon as you cross the Country Bridge over the Rivanna River, you are upon the plantation left by the will of Nicholas (2) “to my grandson Nicholas Lewis the son of Mr. Robt. Lewis, my plantation and land whereon I now live, containing by Patent One Thousand and Twenty acres, together with One Hundred and nineteen acres part of a greater tract bought of Thomas Graves…”
The county road begins to climb the side of the mountain as soon as it leaves the bridge. Off to the left a short distance, and facing the river, is the present Mansion, but upon the right of the road and facing more towards “Monticello”, and the bend of the river, stood the old home of Nicholas (2) Meriwether and wife Elizabeth (Crafford). This was the house in which he died, and it was a beautiful site for a home. On the same first ridge of the mountain, but about 150 yards to the right of the present county road, and perhaps 200 yards from the bridge, was the old Meriwether family graveyard in which were buried Nicholas, Col. David, and many of the family.
At the time of the writer’s visit the entire field where stood the old house and where is located the old graveyard, was planted in corn. Not even a mound marks a grave, and it seems to him a disgrace to every descendant of the family. Cannot this be rectified? The cost would be very small divided among so many.
(In 2003 The Meriwether Society, Inc., visited this area, which is now a parking lot of a mall in the area where the graveyard was estimated to be.)
Notes for Nicholas Meriwether
Member, House of Burgess
Nicholas Meriwether and John Syme were the first two representatives of Hanover to the Virginia House of Burgesses.
37
Will notes for Nicholas Meriwether
Will of Nicholas Meriwether 38
Will dated: 12 December 1743
Witnesses: Peter Jefferson, Samuel Dalton, George Taylor, Charles Lynch
Will recorded: 20 November 1744, Goochland County, Virginia
Wife, children, in-laws named in will:
Meriwether, Elizabeth; wife
Meriwether, William; son
Meriwether, David; son
Johnson, Ann; daughter
Lewis, Robert; son-in-law
The following ten children of sons William and David were frequently mentioned as a group he called "my Ten Grandchildren":
Children of son William
Meriwether, John
Meriwether, Thomas
Meriwether, Richard
Meriwether, Jane
Meriwether, Sarah
Meriwether, Mary
Children of son David
Meriwether, Nicholas
Meriwether, Francis
Meriwether, James
Meriwether, William
Children of Mr. Robert Lewis, Son in Law
Lewis, Nicholas; grandson
Lewis, Mary; granddaughter
Lewis, Mildred; granddaughter
Lewis, Robert; grandson
Lewis, Isabellar; granddaughter
Lewis, Jane; granddaughter
Other Grand children, parents not identified
Littlepage, Judith; granddaughter (daughter of Sarah Meriwether, died 1733)
Johnson, William; grandson (son of Ann)
Meriwether, Thomas; grandson, father of Nicholas. (son of David?)
Great Grand children (not named as such)
Meriwether, Nicholas, son of grandson Thomas Meriwether
Descendants named but relationship not specifically identified:
Meriwether, Mildred; daughter of Nicholas Meriwether
Meriwether, Nicholas; father of Mildred Meriwether
Meriwether, Capt. Thomas; used to identify land next to Robert Lewis.
Relationship not known:
Holladay , Catharine; daughter of Capt. William Holladay
Holladay , Capt. William; father of Catharine
Bickley, Mrs.; person with whom Catharine is living
Persons from whom Nicholas purchased land or otherwise mentioned:
Nix, Edward
Graves, Thomas
Dalton, Robert
Will also mentions slaves:
Negros Fill, Toby, Jamy, Jenny, Bety, Will, Aggy, Vilet, Abby, John and Sarah
Mullattos Charles and Jamy; given to Judith Littlepage
Negros Pharo, Sipes, Sue, Lucy, Dick, Lucy; given to grandson Nicholas Meriwether.
Negros Robin and Judith; given to grandson John Meriwether.
Children NOT named in will:
Meriwether, Nicholas; died before 1721
Meriwether, Thomas; no evidence he ever existed.
Littlepage, Sarah; died about 1732; daughter Judith mentioned
Bray, Elizabeth; died about 1732; daughter Elizabeth Philips mentioned.
Lewis, Jane; died ?; husband and children mentioned
Aylett, Mary; dsp; was given land previously, died about 1745.
Nicholas bequeathed land or slaves to 17 grandchildren we can identify.
All of the children of William are mentioned explicitly as grandchildren except Nicholas, who died in 1739. Nicholas had been deeded land in 1734 and his daughter Mildred did receive a gift in the will.
Of the children of David, sons Thomas and David, daughters Anne and Sarah are not mentioned explicitly. Thomas was deeded land earlier, and Sarah died as an infant. David was a sailor and perhaps out of contact with the family. Anne married Thomas Ballard Smith in 1739 and may have received a gift at that time.
Of the seven children of Ann Meriwether and her husband Thomas Johnson, only William, the youngest, is mentioned. The others were all of legal age and married by 1743. (Did the others receive land prior to the will?)
Of the 12 known children of Robert Lewis and Jane Meriwether, only five —Nicholas, Mary, Mildred, Robert and Isabellar— are named. Sarah, the youngest, was born in 1745. John, Jane, Elizabeth, Anne, Charles and William were all alive, under age and unmarried in 1743. Actually, it appears that Charles was probably not born until 1744, as he died Feb 1779 in the 35th year of his age.
Marriage/Wedding notes for Nicholas & Elizabeth (Family)
The Meriwethers and Their Connections (Artcraft Press, Columbia, Missouri, 1964) pp. 53-55.
Nicholas Meriwether II & Elizabeth Crawford Family
This marriage to a member of the prominent Crawford family, backed by their service to the governing bodies of the Crown, and their large landholdings, served eventually to place Nicholas and his descendants in the forefront of the planter class in Virginia, as well as to serve as a springboard for his service in the House of Burgesses for so many years. His marriage to Elizabeth Crawford is not to decry the ability of Nicholas; rather, it was to place him in a close association with his knowledgeable father-in-law [David Crawford], and through him, to find himself in a strategic position with the governing powers of the Colony.
Children notes for Nicholas & Elizabeth (Family)
TMSI’s Child (FG) List: 39M121. William
M122. David
M123. Thomas
M124. Anne
M125. Sarah
M126. Nicholas
M127. Elizabeth
M128. Jane
M129. Mary
WRG’s Child List: 40
1. David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
2. Jane, b. ____, d. ____; m. Robert Lewis.
3. Ann, b. [1694], bap. 15 Jul 1694, d. [1785] wp 9 May 1785; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. John Cosby.
4. William, b. ____, d. ____; m. ______; had seven children.
5. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. William Littlepage of K&Q Co.; Issue Judith.
6. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylet. No issue.
7. Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton.
8. Thomas.
9. Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 4 Jan 1732; m. Thomas Bray.
NHM’s Child List 41
1.
David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
2.
Thomas. b. ____, d. ____. Never married. Had one son, Nicholas. No further record. (Note: did not exist)
3.
William, b. circa 1792 (sic), d. ____; m. Elizabeth Bushrod.
4.
Anne, [b. 1694], bap. 15 Jul 1694, d. 1785; m. Thomas Johnson.
5.
Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733, m. William Littlepage. Issue Judith.
6.
Nicholas, b. 4 Jul 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton. (Note: death and marriage are incorrect)
7.
Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 1 Jan 1724; m. Thomas Bray.
8.
Jane, b. circa 1705/6, d. bef Sep 1757; m. Robert Lewis.
9.
Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylett.
STLA’s Child List: 42
1.
Jane, m. Robert Lewis.
2.
Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, bap. 6 Aug 1699; m. Mildred Thornton.
3.
William, m. ____.
4.
Thomas, m. ____; had a son Nicholas.
5.
David, b. 1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holmes.
6.
Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, bap. 3 Jul 1703, d. 1 Jan 17__; m. Thomas Bray.
7.
Ann, [b. 1690?], bap. 15 Jul 1690 (sic) d. ____; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. ___ Cosby.
8.
Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. Wm.Littlepage. Issue Judith
9.
Mary, b. ____, d. ____; m1. Mr. Aylett; m2. Samuel Cobb of Georgia.
GWM’s Child List 43
1. Jane
2. Thomas, b. ____, d. ____; had a son by name Nicholas
3. Nicholas, b. ____, d. ____; had a daughter named Mildred..
4. William, b. ____, d. ____; (lists children)
5. David, b. ____, d. 25 Dec 1744
6. Elizabeth, b. ____, d. 1 Jan 1725; m. Mr. Bray.
7. Anne, b. ____, d. ____; m. Mr. Johnson.
8. Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733 6 o’clock p.m.; m. Wm. Littlepage.
9. Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m. John Aylett.
MDP’s Child List: 44
1.
David, b. ~1690, d. 25 Dec 1744; m. Anne Holes.
2.
Jane, b. ~1694, d. ____; m. Robert Lewis.
3.
Anne, [b. 1697], bap. 15 Jul 1697, d. 1785], wp 9 Mar 1785; m1. Thomas Johnson; m2. John Cosby
4.
William, b. 1692, d. ____; m. _______
5.
Sarah, b. ____, d. 2 Jul 1733; m. Wm. Littlepage, Kg. & Q. Co., Va.; issue Judith.
6.
Mary, b. ____, d. 1745; m1. John Aylett; m2. Samuel Cobb of Ga.
7.
Nicholas, b. 11 Jul 1699, bap. __ Aug 1699, d. 1739; m. Mildred Thornton.
8.
Thomas (Sheriff), b. ____, d. ____; m. Jane Lewis; Issue Nicholas.
9.
Elizabeth, b. 20 Jun 1703, d. 4 Jan 1832 (sic); m. Thomas Bray