Colonial Meriwether Families Tree - Person Sheet
Colonial Meriwether Families Tree - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Meriwether 
30, Son, M
30, Son, MBirthaft 17 Jun 1678, Virginia
Deathbef 5 Mar 1694/5, Virginia
Anst File#GJ1D-C7-1
Anst File#PGT2-2V-1
FatherNicholas Meriwether , M (<1631-1678)
MotherElizabeth wife2 , F (<1650-<1695)
Never married
Biography notes for William Meriwether
William Meriwether
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Only one extant record reveals the existence of William and that pertains to his death. On 5 March 1694/95 the Surry County Court granted a Commission of Administration to Captain Francis Clements and Elizabeth, his wife, and Nicholas Meriwether (Elizabeth and Nicholas being sister and brother to the deceased). Subsequently, on 21 April 1695, Governor Sir Edmund Andros, Kn’t., provided the necessary orders to administer William’s personal estate of “divers goods” and account for it.
William had never appeared on any of the Surry County tithable lists for the period and in the several existing records pertaining to his siblings he is not mentioned. Nor is there any evidence he may have been included in his father's will, of which his mother was the executor. He did not leave a will; hence, the Commission of Administration. As the process was handled by a Surry County Court, he likely was a resident thereof at the time of his death, possibly living with Coll. Wm. Browne, his step-father, or perhaps with his sister, Elizabeth Clements, at “Indian Spring.” Appointment of his siblings as administrators suggests his mother, Elizabeth Meriwether Browne had died and that Coll. Browne was not considered his guardian.
A copy of the report of administration of William’s estate has not been located.
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Only one extant record reveals the existence of William and that pertains to his death. On 5 March 1694/95 the Surry County Court granted a Commission of Administration to Captain Francis Clements and Elizabeth, his wife, and Nicholas Meriwether (Elizabeth and Nicholas being sister and brother to the deceased). Subsequently, on 21 April 1695, Governor Sir Edmund Andros, Kn’t., provided the necessary orders to administer William’s personal estate of “divers goods” and account for it.
William had never appeared on any of the Surry County tithable lists for the period and in the several existing records pertaining to his siblings he is not mentioned. Nor is there any evidence he may have been included in his father's will, of which his mother was the executor. He did not leave a will; hence, the Commission of Administration. As the process was handled by a Surry County Court, he likely was a resident thereof at the time of his death, possibly living with Coll. Wm. Browne, his step-father, or perhaps with his sister, Elizabeth Clements, at “Indian Spring.” Appointment of his siblings as administrators suggests his mother, Elizabeth Meriwether Browne had died and that Coll. Browne was not considered his guardian.
A copy of the report of administration of William’s estate has not been located.
Will notes for William Meriwether
Administration of Estate
By his Excellency, the Governor:
[SEALE] To all to whom these presents shall come, Know ye that I, Lt. Edmond Andros . . . their Majesties, Lieut. & Governor General of Virginia, send Greetings,
Whereas William Meriwether late of this Colony dying and leaveing an Estate in divers Goods in care whereof Capt. Francis Clements & Eliz:th his wife and Nicholas Meriwether have made humble Suit to the Court that a Commission of Administration might be granted them of the said Estate (the sd. Eliz:th & Nicholas being Sister & Brother to the sd. dec'd). Now Know all men that I, the sd. Lt. Edmond Andros . . . & according to an Order of Surry County Court bearing date March the 5th 1694 for the better ordering & Securing of the said Estate, Do give & grant unto ye sd Francis Clements, Eliz. his wife & Nich: Meriwether the Administration of all & Singular the Goods, Rights & Credits of the Estate of the sd deced. of what Nature, Quality or Condition they be or in whose Custody soever they remaine within the Colony, and do by these presents further order and Appoint that ye sd Francis, Eliz:th and Nicholas shall present unto the Justices of the sd County of Surry at the next Court a true and perfect Inventory of ye sd Estate being lawfully Appraised by sufficient men upon Oath, and further that they Satisfy & pay all such debts as remains due & oweing from the sd Estate unto any person or persons within the Colony, and after such debts are paid that then the sd Francis, Eliz:th & Nicholas do bring a true & just account of ye Surplusages or remainder of the sd Estate when they shall be thereunto lawfully called, and deliver the same unto the Justices for the benefit of such person or persons—to whom of right it shall belong or lawfully appertains & Given under my hand & the Seale of the Colony this 21st day of Aprill Anno Dom. 1695.
Andros
Capt. Fra. Clements, Eliz:th his wife
Nich. Meriwether, Com. of
Adm: upon the Estate of
Wm. Meriwether
B. Wormse!ey, Secty.
truely Recorded
Jed W. Edwards, Clerk
[From Surry County, Va. Deeds, Wills, Etc., No.5, 1694-1709. There is no further record as to disposition of William's estate, nor does it appear from the record that he had children.]
By his Excellency, the Governor:
[SEALE] To all to whom these presents shall come, Know ye that I, Lt. Edmond Andros . . . their Majesties, Lieut. & Governor General of Virginia, send Greetings,
Whereas William Meriwether late of this Colony dying and leaveing an Estate in divers Goods in care whereof Capt. Francis Clements & Eliz:th his wife and Nicholas Meriwether have made humble Suit to the Court that a Commission of Administration might be granted them of the said Estate (the sd. Eliz:th & Nicholas being Sister & Brother to the sd. dec'd). Now Know all men that I, the sd. Lt. Edmond Andros . . . & according to an Order of Surry County Court bearing date March the 5th 1694 for the better ordering & Securing of the said Estate, Do give & grant unto ye sd Francis Clements, Eliz. his wife & Nich: Meriwether the Administration of all & Singular the Goods, Rights & Credits of the Estate of the sd deced. of what Nature, Quality or Condition they be or in whose Custody soever they remaine within the Colony, and do by these presents further order and Appoint that ye sd Francis, Eliz:th and Nicholas shall present unto the Justices of the sd County of Surry at the next Court a true and perfect Inventory of ye sd Estate being lawfully Appraised by sufficient men upon Oath, and further that they Satisfy & pay all such debts as remains due & oweing from the sd Estate unto any person or persons within the Colony, and after such debts are paid that then the sd Francis, Eliz:th & Nicholas do bring a true & just account of ye Surplusages or remainder of the sd Estate when they shall be thereunto lawfully called, and deliver the same unto the Justices for the benefit of such person or persons—to whom of right it shall belong or lawfully appertains & Given under my hand & the Seale of the Colony this 21st day of Aprill Anno Dom. 1695.
Andros
Capt. Fra. Clements, Eliz:th his wife
Nich. Meriwether, Com. of
Adm: upon the Estate of
Wm. Meriwether
B. Wormse!ey, Secty.
truely Recorded
Jed W. Edwards, Clerk
[From Surry County, Va. Deeds, Wills, Etc., No.5, 1694-1709. There is no further record as to disposition of William's estate, nor does it appear from the record that he had children.]