David Meriwether
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

David Meriwether is the second child and son of Nicholas II and Elizabeth Crawford and named for his maternal grandfather, David Crawford. He was born about 1690 and over the years he migrated with his father to New Kent, Hanover, Goochland and, finally, Hanover County. At the time of his death he was living in Louisa County, which had been created from parts of Hanover in 1742. He amassed large tracts of land along the way. At one point he and his sons possessed as much as 14,000 acres amongst them.

David married Anne (Holmes?) about 1713; they were the parents of eight known children.

David died in Louisa county 25 Dec 1744, about six weeks after his father’s death. He was most likely buried in the Meriwether burial ground alongside his father.

Birth
There are no records establishing David’s birth year or place. WRG and others estimate he was born about 1690, a year or two after his brother William. Records are unclear as to where his father Nicholas was living at that time, but it was most likley Surry County, or possibly Jamestown or somewhere else in James City County.

Death 24
The death of David is recorded in the mutilated register of Nicholas II.

Land Holdings
The will of Nicholas Meriwether was entered for probate 20 Nov 1744 in Goochland County. The will of David Meriwether was entered for probate in Louisa County 22 Jan 1744/5, but undoubtedly his will did not specifically dispose of his inheritance from his father.

From the will of Nicholas Meriwether it is known that the home place where David lived was left to him, and the sons of David were also left large plantations, a share of the slaves, and a division of the livestock. David was a wealthy landowner, having possession of several tracts, probably from his father, who was among the largest landholders in Virginia. Old accounts hold that David had possession of one place of 3,300 acres from 1721, and that four of his sons were in possession of more than 5,000 acres before the death of their grandfather in 1744; after this date their holdings mounted to more than 10,000 acres. With their father they held some 13,000 to 14,000 acres between them. From all accounts Thomas, the eldest child, and his brother James had the advantage in total acreage.

David inherited land from his grandfather, David Crawford, near the Asassquin Plantation that brother William inherited and built the town of Newcastle.

Selected Entries from Deed Books A & B - Louisa Co. VA
p. 198-200 25 June 1754

Thos. Meriwether and Nicholas Meriwether, Gent., Exors. of David Meriwether, late of Louisa Co. Gent., dec’d., to Rich’d Phillips of St. Georges Par., Spotsylvannia Co., Gent. L270 current money; 400 acres in the fork of the South Anna... Christ. Clarke’s corner... Anna Clarkes corner; granted by patent to Nicholas Meriwether, Gent., dec’d. 18 Feb 1722; devised his son, David Meriwether, Gent., dec’d., (recourse being had to records of Goochland Co. court)

Thos. Meriwether, Nicolas Meriwether.

Wit: Joseph Fox, Thos. Lankford, Jo. Moore. 24 Sept 1754 ack. by Thos. Meriwether and Nicholas Meriwether, Gent.

The Will of Col. David Meriwether. 45

“Virginia:- In Louisa County Court Jany. 24th 1744. The last Will and Testament of David Meriwether, Gent. dec’d. was propounded in Court by Thomas Meriwether and Nicholas Meriwether Gent. Exors. therein named, was proved by the oath of George Taylor one of the witnesses thereto and admitted to record; and the said Executors having performed what is usual in such cases, Certificate is granted them, they with John Poindexter Gent. their security having first entered into bond for obtaining a probat thereof in due form:

A Copy, Teste, Jesse J. Porter, C. C.

BIRTH
WRG states he was born in James City County; this would be true if Nicholas II was living at Jamestown at this time.

GMB states he was born in Surry County.

CHAPTER IV 49
David Meriwether and Anne Holmes

David Meriwether, first (sic: second) child of Nicholas II and Elizabeth Crawford, first (sic: second) of the third generation, was born in what is now Louisa County, Virginia, 1690, d. there December 25, 1744, about six weeks after his father’s death (Nicholas II). The will of Nicholas Meriwether was entered for probate November 20, 1744 in Louisa (sic: Goochland) County. The will of David Meriwether was entered for probate in Louisa County 22 January 1745, but undoubtedly his will did not specifically dispose of his inheritance from his father. From the will of Nicholas Meriwether it is known that the home place where David lived was left to him, and the sons of David were also left large plantations, a share of the slaves, and a division of the livestock. David was a wealthy landowner, having possession of several tracts, probably from his father, who was among the largest landholders in Virginia. Old accounts hold that David had possession of one place of 3300 acres from 1721, and that four of his sons were in possession of more than 5,000 acres before the death of their grandfather in 1744; after this date their holdings mounted to more than 10,000 acres. With their father they held some 13,000 to 14,000 acres between them. From all accounts Thomas, the eldest child, and his brother James had the advantage in total acreage.

David Meriwether married Anne Holmes. She was the daughter of George Holmes of King and Queen County, Va. Very little data has come down through the records regarding Anne Holmes. The name has been given, at times, as Hoomes, due probably to records imperfectly entered or misspelled. Parish records are not available for the years 1700-1730 from King and Queen County, and records in the courts and House of Burgesses do not give any data concerning her father. Some legal and tithable records list a few Holmes (or Hoomes) but without any data that would permit a link with Anne Holmes. None of David and Anne’s eight children have any of the Holmes names, either “George” or Holmes as a middle name, such as will appear in succeeding generations, when the maiden names of wives are carried forward in the children’s names.

David and Anne Holmes were married about 1712/13. David and Anne’s descendants seem to far outnumber all of David’s brothers, particularly in the number of male descendants. David and Anne Holmes had eight children. Only two of these eight children did not leave descendants—Anne Meriwether (b. 1721) and Sarah Meriwether, who died as an infant. The other six children will each occupy a chapter, listing their descendants to 1963.

Crawford Inheritance 50

On the 12th of May, 1697, David Crawford, the elder, deeded to his grandson, David Meriwether, 200 acres of land, with the appurtenances lying in the County of Kent, afterward Hanover. This property, in the division of St. Peter's parish, fell into the bounds of St. Paul's parish. By act of the General Assembly, February, 1752, the entail of this 200 acres was docked, that Thomas Meriwether, the son and heir of David Meriwether, might settle another parcel of land in the county of Louisa, of greater value, to the same uses.

New Kent County, St. Paul’s Parish

New Kent County, which was formed from York in 1654, included not only the present county of the name, but also the section of country now in King William, King and Queen, Hanover, and all upwards to the heads of the Pamunkey and Mattapony Rivers. There appears to be no record to show when St. Peter’s was formed, but the vestry book begins in 1682. In 1704, St. Paul’s parish, afterwards in Hanover County, was formed from St. Peter’s.

The first several pages of the Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish of Hanover County were badly damaged but on page 14, under date 28 October 1704 Captain Henry Chiles is listed along with Maj. Nicholas Meriwether as the Church Wardens present at the Lower Church for St. Pauls Parish present at the vestry meeting. The others present at the meeting were Robert Jennings, Robert Anderson, Sr., John White and Rowland Horsley.

The St. Paul, Hanover County vestry meeting held on I Jan 1707/8 was at the dwelling house of Mr. Henry Chiles. Mr. Edward Garland was listed as a Church Warden at this time.

In 1714 Henry Chiles was again listed as a Justice for New Kent while his brother John was a Justice of the Peace from King William County.

The last record of Henry Chiles on the St. Paul’s Parish Vestry Book of Hanover County was : “At a Vestry held at ye lower Church ye 29 Oct 1720. Mr. David Meriwether was admitted a Vestryman for this Parish in the room of Mr. Henry Chiles, lately deceased.”

Colonel David Meriwether
Virginia Encyclopedia Britanica 12,31

Colonel David Meriwether, son of Nicholas (2) Meriwether, was born in James City county, Virginia, in 1690, died December 25, 1743. He inherited 1600 acres from his father and lived the life of a Virginia gentleman planter. He married Anne, daughter of George Holmes, of King and Queen county, Virginia, who died March 11, 1735. They were the parents of six sons and two daughters.

The Vestry Book of St. Paul’s Parish, Pages 91-92
(From Immigration to Suburbia by Thomas Keith Porterfield, p. 80)

In October 1720 the Vestry of St. Paul’s “Ordered that Mr. David Meriweather have James Tate and Jno Hill, Male Tithables, and Edward Penix, to assist him in Clearing and maintaining ye road he is Overseer of.”

In 1709 he was named as a son of Nicholas in the will of his uncle, Thomas Meriwether; in 1714 he was named as a son of Col. Nicholas Meriwether in a 1714 deed involving Thomas. 51

Deeds 52

There are several deeds in my possession which I quote

A deed from David Crafford to his grandson David Meriwether for 200 acres lying near the town of New Castle, and recorded in New Kent Co., bearing date May 12-1697. (Note. This is not “Assasquin” as mentioned in some of the other Meriwether records (Assasquin was given to William brother of David, [11] as already printed in this record. W. R. G.)

A deed from David Meriwether] to his son Thomas for the said 200 acres or rather a release by Crafford for his grandson David and his heirs.

A deed from the said David to his son Thomas for 50 acres including the warehouse at the town of New Castle. These deeds were executed in 1740.

I have also the copy of a deed for 1140 acres deeded by Nicholas Meriwether to John Aylett and his daughter Mary Meriwether, and in default of lawful issue, to David and William Meriwether, and which land with slaves thereon were divided between the two last persons named, as may be seen by papers in my possession bearing date 1745-1747. This land lies in Hanover Co., and is known by the name of “Allens Creek Quarter.”

signed. Wm. D. Meriwether.

Anne (Holmes) Meriwether
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

The wife of David Meriwether was named Anne, but her maiden name is unknown except through family history stating it was Holmes. Very little information has come down through the records regarding her. She married David about 1712/13 and they were the parents of eight children. As of 2025, The Meriwether Society has identified. over 37,000 descendants of David and Anne.

Parents
Anne is supposedly the daughter of George Hoomes of Queen & King County, Virginia, though records indicate George only had one daughter, Priscilla Hoomes, who married Joseph Pollard. There are multiple references to George and his life, but none reference a daughter named Anne or any Meriwether grandchildren. The mother of Anne is not known, though some claim George was married to Anne Reade and/or Mary Ward.

None of David and Anne’s eight children have any of the Hoomes names, either “George” or “Hoomes” as a middle name, such as will appear in succeeding generations, when the maiden names of wives are carried forward in the children’s names.

FATHER
Records for George Holmes indicate he had one daughter, Priscilla, who married Joseph Pollard. No records identify a daughter named Anne.

MOTHER
White states her mother was Mary Ward. 53

BIRTH
Source of the birth date of 19 Dec 1695 is not known but is commonly stated. EGH54 states she was born in King & Queen County, Virginia; White53 state she was born in Farnham, Yorkshire, England.
WRG: no birth info
NHM: no birth info

DEATH
Anne’s death was recorded in the mutilated Bible register referenced by Griffith: “Anne ye wife of Col. David dyed ye 11” March 1735-36.”

LHAM
Anne Holmes Meriwether, daughter of George Holmes, Esq., of King & Queen County.

Anne Holmes 55

David Meriwether married Anne Holmes. She was the daughter of George Holmes of King and Queen County, Va. Very little data has come down through the records regarding Anne Holmes. The name has been given, at times, as Hoomes, due probably to records imperfectly entered or misspelled. Parish records are not available for the years 1700-1730 from King and Queen County, and records in the courts and House of Burgesses do not give any data concerning her father. Some legal and tithable records list a few Holmes (or Hoomes) but without any data that would permit a link with Anne Holmes. None of David and Anne’s eight children have any of the Holmes names, either “George” or Holmes as a middle name, such as will appear in succeeding generations, when the maiden names of wives are carried forward in the children’s names.

Received: 10/22/01 10:20 PM
From: Sansee@aol.com
To: Meriwether-L, MERIWETHER-L@rootsweb.com

The following was given to me by a cousin that researched extensively on these families.

About 1713 David Meriwether married Anne Holmes, the daughter of George and Anne (Read) Holmes. George Holmes was an early settler and on 28 Feby 1743/4, the court of Northampton county had issued a certificate setting land to him.

HOLMES FAMILY REFERENCES;
28 VA Mag of Hist & Bio, p 146
34 “ “ “ “ , pps. 107-112

---------------- Begin Forwarded Message ----------------
Date: 10/22/01 3:07 PM
From: Jan Stark, JSMET1400@aol.com

The reason I asked about Anne Holmes in the first place is because I saw several messages on the Reade GenForum site discussing Anne Holmes relationship to the Reades. A man who is connected to the Martiau Society said she has no relationship to the Reade/Martiau family and I was hoping someone could give a better ancestry report on her.

Thanks for your input.
Jan

---------------- Begin Forwarded Message ----------------
Date: 10/22/01 11:39 PM
Received: 10/23/01 7:11 AM

Cousins,

There appears to be no primary documentation to prove that the mother of Ann Holmes (Hoomes) was a Read. If you have such data the Meriwether Society would appreciate seeing it. The VA Mag. sources that are cited failed to provide any original source material proving a Read connection.

Monte L. Monroe
--
Regards,
Monte
----------------- End Forwarded Message -----------------

David Meriwether & Anne Holmes

It is estimated that David and Anne married about 1713 in New Kent County; no records for the marriage have been located.

David and Anne had eight children. Only two of the eight did not leave descendants.