Mary (Bathurst) Meriwether Welch Robinson 6
© The Meriwether Society, Inc.

Mary was the daughter of Lancelot Bathurst and an unknown wife. Lancelot had immigrated to Virginia from Lechlade Parish, Gloucestershire, England, by 1670, and Mary is believed to have been born in New Kent County about 1675–1679. Mary and Francis married before November 1695 and they were the parents of at least six children. Mary was about 38 when Francis died, leaving her with four small children and a married daughter. Mary managed her property well and expanded it through land purchases.

Mary died on 2 Aug 1738.

Documents involving Mary’s widowhood were among the largest collections in Essex County.

Mary married twice after the death of Francis, though no further children were born. In 1722 she married Capt. Reuben Welch, a gentleman justice of Essex County. Reuben died in 1729 and in 1731/2 she married John Robinson of Spotsylvania County.

NOTE: **SA p144 states "[She was] the daughter of Launcelot Bathurst of Gloucester, England, and his second wife, Susan Rich. He was the second son of Sir Edward Bathurst, knighted in 1643 by Charles I." This is at variance with DLL’s Bathurst information.

Mary Bathurst Meriwether Welch Robinson 238

Mary Bathurst, wife of Capt. Francis Meriwether, was a daughter of Lancelot Bathurst, of Essex County, Va., son of Sir Edward Bathurst, of Gloucester, England, and his second wife, Susan Rich (sic-Susan Rich is Lancelot's mother). Lancelot had, besides Mary, three other children, viz., (1) Lawrence, who died unmarried in Essex county about 1705; (2) Elizabeth, married, first, William Tomlin, and second, in 1709, William Daingerfield; (3) Susanna, married Drury Stith.

Mary Bathurst survived her husband, Francis Meriwether, and married, secondly, Reuben Welch (an Essex County Justice); thirdly, Hon. John Robinson (who became President of the Virginia Council after Mary’s death in 1738). There were no children from these marriages.

Mary Bathurst was the daughter of Lancelot Bathurst of New Kent. He was sheriff, coroner, and burgess until ca.1700, his death. Mary had a sister Susannah and a sister Elizabeth. Her brother Lawrence left no issue. Mary married first Francis Meriwether, secondly Reuben Welch (no issue), and thirdly, John Robinson, sometime acting governor whose son from a previous marriage was "Speaker John" Robinson, speaker of the House of Burgesses for more than 30 years in the 1700s. Mary had no issue by John Robinson. Mary's issue were: Elizabeth who m. Drury Bolling; Francis (d. unm.); Jane who m. James Skelton; Mary who m. first Wm. Colston and secondly Thomas Wright Belfield; and Lucy who m. Francis Smith. Lucy's grandson was Geo. Wm. Smith, the governor who died in the 1811 theater fire in Richmond. Through Mary Bathurst Meriwether can be traced John Randolph of Roanoke, Henry St. Geo. Tucker, Nathaniel Beverley Tucker, and all of the Richmond newspaper Bryan family.

Mary's grandparents were Sir Edward Bathurst and Susan Rich. The earliest traceable direct Bathurst ancestor is Richard who was b. ca. 1400.

Name: Mary, Widow Belfield
Date: 17 Sep 1746
Location: Richmond Co., VA
Property: Lot No. 5, in town of Fredksbg,

Notes: This land record was originally published in "Virginia County Records - Spotsylvania County, 1721-1800, Volume I" edited by William Armstrong Crozier.

Remarks: Mary Belfield, widow, and John Belfield and Wm. Jordan, Gent., all of the County of Richmond, in Va., executors of the Last will and testament of Thomas Wright Belfield, Gent., Decd., to Charles Dick of Fredericksburg, Spts. Co., Mercht. Recites - Truste
Description: Executrix
Book: D

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 Jr, Mary, Elizabeth, Jane, Lucy and Thomas. Francis Jr 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.

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.

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.

Francis Meriwether died intestate, indicating he died fairly suddenly and unexpectedly.

!BIRTH 1670 based on research by MWK. Others give ABT 1658. ARR has 1660; on page 8, NHM states Francis was born after 1662, but before 1673. On page 41 NHM states he was at least 16 in 1683, placing his year of birth about 1667/1668. TMSI (ie, jmo), will go with 1667 for now...

^DEATH: Francis died between Feb. 12 1712/13, his last appearance as Essex County Justice and April 9, 1713 the day his widow was made administrator of his estate by the Essex County Court. There also many other records involving his estate and one Council record in November 1713 noting his death and the need to elect a new Burgess from Essex County. He was not present as justice at the March 12, 13 or 14th Essex County Court sessions. He was a very dependable and rarely missed a session so he was probably on his death bed or dead by this session. He did not have a will so he probably died suddenly. My guess is that he died in Feb. or March of 1712 (old calendar). (GMB 25 Apr 2004)

On 19 Mar 1716 (1717), Mary Meriwether, relict of Francis Meriwether, deceased, appeared in a court proceeding and again on 22 Mar 1716 (1717).

It is easier to answer your question on the death of Francis. It appears that Valentine Papers are wrong. I don't have an exact transcription of Gouldman's will but I do have Beverely Fleet's lengthy abstract which says:
"Thirdly I Give and Devise unto my sd Kinswoman Elizabeth Waring all that Tract x x containing Eleven hundred acres x lying and being in Com'on between the heirs of ffrancis Meriwether late dec'd and my selfe Scituate In King and Queen County on the branches of Mattapony x x". (Quotes from the abstact.)

As to Francis’ birth, I have relied on that being dealt with in the earlier chapters of Vol. 1. I have no problem with it being about 1670 although, if anything, I would suspect it could be earlier. He only appears in the Surry tithable list in 1688 (in Brown's household.) It is unlikely that he had just turned 16 since that would have made him about 20 when he became Essex County Clerk.Since he is not listed later he could have gone elsewhere after that. He inherited the “Island House” and could have taken up residence there. He was well versed in the law as indicated by his recording as Essex County Clerk and by the 28 law books in his estate inventory. He could have studied law on his own, under an attorney in James City or in England. Griffith says that he completed his education in England though I have not been able to prove that. His appointment as Essex County Clerk upon the founding of the county by William Cole, the Secretary of State (1689 - 1692), in 1692 indicates he had achieved a level of maturity and connections (maybe Henry Hartwell who joined the Council that year could have been his angel). Even 22 would seem to be an early age although I have no statistics to support this. But, it is certainly possible, maybe likely, that he was older. An interesting speculation: Lancelot Bathurst (according to Harris) was Deputy Attorney General in 1684 and Clerk to the Council in 1688, perhaps Francis was associated with him in these capacities which would put his birth around 1666 - 1667. Would also suggest how he met Mary. (Harris give no source on this. The clerk's job can probably be determined from the Council records.)

From: "GUY M BENSON" <guybenson@prodigy.net>
Date: August 17, 2006 4:47:52 PM EDT
To: <lauramonroe@cox.net>
Cc: <joe.oglesby52@gmail.com>, <volume1@meriwethersociety.org>, <joel@meriwethersociety.org>, <annielaurie@meriwethersociety.org>, <merischmid@aol.com>, "Stephen Long" <Houston111466@aol.com>
Subject: Fw: Francis II Birthdate...

Monte, the Essex County recording of a statue involving estates is shown below. It shows that there was a concern with the administration of estates but no specified reporting deadline based on date of death. Not sure what they meant by "render all accounts" but I assume that they mean a list of all accounts that had been processed since the last General Court. The General Court met twice a year, in April and October. As I mentioned before the County courts met once a month (Essex did so for two days) but some counties only met every other month.


Francis attended the Essex court as justice in December 1712, missed the Jan 1712/13 court sessions, attended court on Feb 12, 1712/13 but not the second day and missed the March court. He was very steady and dependable and rarely missed court. One of his servants was a before the court at the Feb session he attended so that could have motivated him to attend even if ill. He represented Essex as a Burgess in Oct 1712 but there was no session in the 1st quarter of 1712/13. Therefore it appears likely that he was ill in Jan and Feb and could have died shortly before the March court or shortly thereafter. If he had died in Feb there would have been time for the court to name an administrator at the March Court. If he died after April 1 there would not be enough time (the administration was ordered on April 9, 1713.) Therefore my guess is that he died around the middle of March plus or minus a couple of weeks. So March 1712/13 would be a good guess.

In the 1688 tithable list for Surry County he is found in the household of Coll: Wm: Browne, as one of 11 tithables.  Not before or after. 229

(MWK 4 Jan 2007)

Millennium File about Francis Meriwether
Name: Francis Meriwether
Gender: Male
Birth Date: 1671
Birth Place: Essex, Virginia, USA
Father: Nicholas Meriwether
Mother: Elizabeth Woodhouse
Spouse: Mary Bathurst
Children: Lucy Meriwether; Mary Meriwether; Mary Meriwether
Spouse Father: Lancelot Bathurst
Spouse Mother: Susanna

American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) about Nicholas Meriwether
Name: Nicholas Meriwether
Birth Date: 1670
Birthplace: Virginia
Volume: 116
Page Number: 250
Reference: Seldens of Va. & allied fams. By Mary S. Kennedy. New York [1911] (2v.):94

Virginia County Records Surname Index about Meriwether
Surname: Meriwether
Comment: Meade's Old Fam. and Churches. The Meriwethers and Their Connections, by L. H. A. Minor, 1892. The Minors and Meriwethers, by Minor Meriwether, 1895. Record of Nicholas Meriwether, by W. A. Griffith, 1899. Richmond Standard, III. Wm. and Mary Quar., VI, IX, XII, XIV, XVII. Va. Hist. Mag., V. Jones Gen., by L. H. Jones. Wood's Hist. of Albemarle Co. Va. Co. Records, I, V. VI, VII. Of Sceptred Race, by Annah R. Watson. Some Notable Families of America, by Annah R. Watson. Gilmer's Georgians.

U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 about Francis Meriwether
Name: Francis Meriwether
Gender: Male
Birth Place: VA
Birth Year: 1670
Spouse Name: Mary Bathurst
Spouse
Birth Place: VA
Spouse Birth Year: 1671
Marriage
Year: 1704
Marriage State: VA
Number Pages: 1

Francis Meriwether
IV--Burgesses and Other Prominent Persons

Residence Place: Virginia, USA

Comments: Son of Nicholas Meriwether, a native of Wales, was a large landholder in Essex county; clerk of Essex county from 1692 to 1702; senior justice of Essex in 1711; and burgess for the county in 1705-1706. He married Mary Bathurst, daughter of Lancelot Bathurst, and died in 1712 or 1713.

Excerpt from NHM:
"Some of the activities of Francis Meriwether… are shown below. He… had large landholdings in Virginia, being listed in 1704 as the second largest landholder in Essex County. He married Mary Bathurst whose father was Lancelot Bathurst of England. They left a large family, none of whom bear the name Meriwether. Any account of Francis Meriwether’s affairs will note his service in the house of Burgesses from 1705 until his death, about 1713. He was active in the affairs of his family as evidenced by his giving deeds and handling the legal affairs for the family after the death of his father in 1678 at the age of 47. The first of his [activities] along this line is his being a witness to a deed, along with James Blair in 1695, of the home and acreage of Henry Hartwell and his wife Jane (aunt of Francis and Nicholas) to William Edwards “for and in consideration of three hundred pounds Sterling." 236

Note: Subsequent research by The Meriwether Society suggests that Francis was born about 1667 and was therefore the third child of Nicholas I. Francis is listed on the Surry County tithable list in 1688 (at the residence of Col. William Browne) indicating he was at least 16 at that time. Francis was appointed Clerk of Essex County in 1692, indicating 1) he was at least 21 at that time and 2) he was well educated to assume such a position.

Court References

Court held 12 November 1702.
Henry Kerby not appearing at the suite of Francis Meriweather for 8000 lbs of tobacco according to the declaration and being by the sheriff returned non est invent upon the plaintiff’s motion an attachment is granted him against the sd Kerby’s estate for the sd sum of 8000 lbs of tobacco and costs returnable at the next court.

Court held 12 January 1702/3.
In the suite brought by Francis Meriweather against Henry Kerby for delaying of two bills each for 2000 lbs of tobacco which the plaintiff set forth by his declaration that he won upon a horse race made and run between him and Jeffrey Dyer and whereby the plaintiff and the sd Dyer put in the sd defendants hands to hold between them the defendant appeared and (one word) his goods attached and upon his plea to the action the matter for trial was referred to a jury who (n=by name William Robinson, Edward Gouldman, William Daingerfield, John Hawkins, Tho: Binslow, George Lloyd, Thomas Griffin, James Reeves, Thomas Davis, Joseph Reeves, John Daingerfield and Leonard Hill) being first sworne returned for verdict was of the jury find the present delivery of the bill according to the declaration of the plaintiff and 10 lbs. of tobacco damages, which verdict upon the plaintiffs motion is ordered to be recorded and judgement granted to the plaintiff and likewise for the present delivery of the two bills declared for and ordered that the defendant pay the sd damages and deliver the sd bills with costs of suit. 237

^MARR ? has bef 24 Mar 1720. GMB unable to verify a marriage this early.

John Robinson was sometime acting governor of Virginia; son from a previous marriage was “Speaker John” Robinson, speaker of the House of Burgesses for more than 30 years in the 1700s.

American Genealogical-Biographical Index (AGBI) about John Robinson
Name: John Robinson
Birth Date: 1683
Birthplace: Virginia,
Volume: 148
Page Number: 152
Biographical Info: Hon., mem. Kings Council
Reference: Colonial fams. Of the southern states of Amer. By Stella Pickett Hardy. Baltimore. 1958. (643p.):450

On 5 Jan 1734/5, there was recorded a marriage settlement between Hon. John Robinson of Spotsylvania Co. and Mary Welch of Essex County, widow.