Colonial Meriwether Families Tree - Person Sheet
Colonial Meriwether Families Tree - Person Sheet
Birthabt 1670, Virginia
Residence1688, “Four Mile Tree”, Surry County, Virginia221
Residence1712, Bathurst Plantation, Essex County, Virginia
Deathbet 12 Feb 1712/3 and 9 Apr 1713, Essex County, Virginia
BurialPiscataway Church Cemetery, Essex County, Virginia222
OccupationMerchant
Education“his education of the very highest standard, he having been sent to England to complete it.”223
Public Office FactBurgess for Essex County, 1705-1706
Anst File#GJ1D-9V-1
Anst File#J6F6-Z4-1
Anst File#4WGD-5X
Findagrave•https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/14946569
FatherNicholas Meriwether , M (<1631-1678)
MotherElizabeth wife2 , F (<1650-<1695)
Spouses
1Mary Bathurst 
35,54,224, F
35,54,224, FBirthabt 1675, New Kent County, Virginia
Death2 Aug 1738, Essex County, Virginia225
BurialEssex County, Virginia226
FatherLancelot Bathurst , M (1646-<1703)
MotherUnknown , F
Marriageabt Jul 1695, Virginia227
Biography notes for Francis Meriwether
Francis Meriwether (M13), Gentleman of Essex County.
Guy Meriwether Benson, The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Francis Meriwether was born about 1670 in Surry County or James City, the second son and child of Nicholas Meriwether (M1) and his second wife. Not much is known about his early life except that he appeared in the Surry County tithable list in 1688. He inherited the “Island House” on Jamestown Island when his father died in 1678 and may have lived there at some point. It is said that he was educated in England. While this has not been verified, the records show that he was well versed in the law. He appeared in the newly formed Essex County as the first Essex County Clerk in April 1692 and served in that position until 1703. He also served as county justice, coroner and burgess.
By 1704 Francis was the second largest landholder in Essex County and he continued adding to his holdings until his death, including 5 lots in the new town of Tappahannock. He lived in, at least, two places in Essex County, the last of which was on Piscataway Creek, where, later, “Bathurst House” was built. Francis also owned a brig or brigantine, an ocean going vessel which he probably used to transport tobacco to England and to bring merchandize to Virginia.
Francis married, about June or July 1695, Mary Bathurst daughter of Lancelot Bathurst of Gloucestershire County, England and New Kent County, Virginia. They had the following children: Francis, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Lucy and Thomas. Francis and Thomas left no descendants but the four daughters all left descendants including some most distinguished ones.
He died intestate about March 1712/13. His estate inventory was over 6 pages and included 54 slaves and 6 indentured servants.
Guy Meriwether Benson, The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Francis Meriwether was born about 1670 in Surry County or James City, the second son and child of Nicholas Meriwether (M1) and his second wife. Not much is known about his early life except that he appeared in the Surry County tithable list in 1688. He inherited the “Island House” on Jamestown Island when his father died in 1678 and may have lived there at some point. It is said that he was educated in England. While this has not been verified, the records show that he was well versed in the law. He appeared in the newly formed Essex County as the first Essex County Clerk in April 1692 and served in that position until 1703. He also served as county justice, coroner and burgess.
By 1704 Francis was the second largest landholder in Essex County and he continued adding to his holdings until his death, including 5 lots in the new town of Tappahannock. He lived in, at least, two places in Essex County, the last of which was on Piscataway Creek, where, later, “Bathurst House” was built. Francis also owned a brig or brigantine, an ocean going vessel which he probably used to transport tobacco to England and to bring merchandize to Virginia.
Francis married, about June or July 1695, Mary Bathurst daughter of Lancelot Bathurst of Gloucestershire County, England and New Kent County, Virginia. They had the following children: Francis, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Lucy and Thomas. Francis and Thomas left no descendants but the four daughters all left descendants including some most distinguished ones.
He died intestate about March 1712/13. His estate inventory was over 6 pages and included 54 slaves and 6 indentured servants.
Notes for Francis Meriwether
Ship "Six Sisters"
Francis owned a merchant ship, “Six Sisters”, possibly bought from the estate of his late brother, Thomas. The will of Thomas mentions a ship, unnamed, and requests that it be sold. Francis may have purchased the ship and named it “Six Sisters”, possibly after his daughters. We only know of four daughters, but it is certainly possible there are two additional ones.
Francis owned a merchant ship, “Six Sisters”, possibly bought from the estate of his late brother, Thomas. The will of Thomas mentions a ship, unnamed, and requests that it be sold. Francis may have purchased the ship and named it “Six Sisters”, possibly after his daughters. We only know of four daughters, but it is certainly possible there are two additional ones.
Notes for Francis Meriwether
BIRTH-DEATH
Research by The Meriwether Society suggests that Francis was born about 1670.
Francis is listed on the Surry County tithable list in 1688 (at the residence of Col. William Browne) indicating he was at least 16 <1672> at that time.
Francis was appointed Clerk of Essex County in 1692, indicating 1) he was at least 21 <1671> at that time and 2) he was well educated to assume such a position.
The last date he appeared as an Essex County Justice: 12 Feb 1712/13.
Date wife appointed administrator of his estate. 9 Apr 1713
Probably death date: late March, early April 1713.
Research by The Meriwether Society suggests that Francis was born about 1670.
Francis is listed on the Surry County tithable list in 1688 (at the residence of Col. William Browne) indicating he was at least 16 <1672> at that time.
Francis was appointed Clerk of Essex County in 1692, indicating 1) he was at least 21 <1671> at that time and 2) he was well educated to assume such a position.
The last date he appeared as an Essex County Justice: 12 Feb 1712/13.
Date wife appointed administrator of his estate. 9 Apr 1713
Probably death date: late March, early April 1713.
Will notes for Francis Meriwether
Francis Meriwether died intestate, indicating he died fairly suddenly and unexpectedly.