Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
Colonial Meriwether Families - Person Sheet
NameFrancis Clements Jr. 
, Grandson, LT6K-YTV, M
, Grandson, LT6K-YTV, MBirthbet 1686-1694, Surry County, Virginia
Residence1694–1721, “Indian Spring”, Surry County, Virginia
Will Dated08 Apr 1721, Surry County, Virginia
Deathabt 09 Apr 1721, Surry County, Virginia
BurialSurry County, Virginia732
Will Proved21 Jun 1721, Surry County, Virginia
Web LinkGlebe House of Southwark Parish: https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/090-0012/
Web LinkThe Glebe - Map Location: http://tinyurl.com/gp2fsqr
FlagsVolume 1
FatherCapt. Francis Clements , G3KS-54J, M (ca1650-~1717)
MotherElizabeth Meriwether , M11 LZP3-JDZ, F (~1661-ca1700)
Never married
Biography notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Francis Clements Jr. 6
© 2025 The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Francis was the only child of Elizabeth Meriwether and her second husband, Capt. Francis Clements. Francis Jr. was born in Surry County and resided most of his life on the 650 acre “Indian Spring” plantation originally bought by his grandfather, Nicholas Meriwether I in 1666, and sold by Nicholas II to Francis Clements Sr. in 1694. Upon his death in 1721, Francis Jr. left a Will that named his uncles Nicholas II and William Browne and some of his Meriwether and Browne cousins.
In his Will, Francis Jr. left the “Indian Spring” property to the Vestry of Southwark Parish for use as a Glebe. The building that was erected still exists, known as “The Olde Glebe”, though now in private hands.
See The Meriwether Family in America: Volume I, The Colonists for additional details.
© 2025 The Meriwether Society, Inc.
Francis was the only child of Elizabeth Meriwether and her second husband, Capt. Francis Clements. Francis Jr. was born in Surry County and resided most of his life on the 650 acre “Indian Spring” plantation originally bought by his grandfather, Nicholas Meriwether I in 1666, and sold by Nicholas II to Francis Clements Sr. in 1694. Upon his death in 1721, Francis Jr. left a Will that named his uncles Nicholas II and William Browne and some of his Meriwether and Browne cousins.
In his Will, Francis Jr. left the “Indian Spring” property to the Vestry of Southwark Parish for use as a Glebe. The building that was erected still exists, known as “The Olde Glebe”, though now in private hands.
See The Meriwether Family in America: Volume I, The Colonists for additional details.
Notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Birth
The date of birth for Francis is unknown, but his father gave him a gift of 516 acres of land on 15 October 1715. As it was not legal in Virginia to own land before age 21, Francis Jr. would have been born at least by 1694, when the Clements appear to be living at “Indian Spring”. He might also have taken possession of land at age 16, suggesting he may have been born at least by 1699, but the fact that Lydia obtained an attorney to represent her in the transaction creates a degree of finality in the gift beyond mere possession.
The date of birth for Francis is unknown, but his father gave him a gift of 516 acres of land on 15 October 1715. As it was not legal in Virginia to own land before age 21, Francis Jr. would have been born at least by 1694, when the Clements appear to be living at “Indian Spring”. He might also have taken possession of land at age 16, suggesting he may have been born at least by 1699, but the fact that Lydia obtained an attorney to represent her in the transaction creates a degree of finality in the gift beyond mere possession.
Will Summary notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Will of Francis Clements Jr. 733
The will of Francis Clements Jr. was dated 8 April 1721 and presented to court 21 June 1721.
He bequeaths his plantation, Indian Springs, to the Church-wardens and Vestry of South parish “for a Glebe for the said parish” in Surry County.
Also named:
Uncles: Maj. Nicholas Meriweather and Capt. William Browne.
Cousins: William, David, Elizabeth, Jane, Sarah, and Mary Meriweather. Children of Majr. Nicho. Meriweather.
Ann Johnson wife of Thomas Johnson.
Cousins: Jane, Walker, Mary, Elizabeth, and Anne Browne.
Cousins: Henry Browne and William Browne Jr.
Brothers: Benjamin Clements and Thomas Clements.
Step-mother: Lydia Clements.
William Browne Jr. designated as executor.
The will of Francis Clements Jr. was dated 8 April 1721 and presented to court 21 June 1721.
He bequeaths his plantation, Indian Springs, to the Church-wardens and Vestry of South parish “for a Glebe for the said parish” in Surry County.
Also named:
Uncles: Maj. Nicholas Meriweather and Capt. William Browne.
Cousins: William, David, Elizabeth, Jane, Sarah, and Mary Meriweather. Children of Majr. Nicho. Meriweather.
Ann Johnson wife of Thomas Johnson.
Cousins: Jane, Walker, Mary, Elizabeth, and Anne Browne.
Cousins: Henry Browne and William Browne Jr.
Brothers: Benjamin Clements and Thomas Clements.
Step-mother: Lydia Clements.
William Browne Jr. designated as executor.
Will notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Francis Clements Jr.
The will of Francis Clements, Jr., was dated 8 April 1721 and presented to court 21 June 1721.733
In the Name of God Amen I Francis Clements of Surry County being sick & weak in body but of perfect Sence of Memory Thanks be given to almighty God therefore make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testamt in manner and form as followeth
First and princaple I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator and Jesus Chriist my Redeemer fully Trusting in his Merits for Remission of all my Sins and for what Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I do dispose of as is hereafter Expresst
Second I bequeath unto the Church-wardens and Vestry of South parish in Surry County and the sucessors for Ever my Plantation and Land call’d and known by the name Indian springs containing six hundred and fifty Acres more or less for a Glebe for the said parish the same being bought of Majr. Nicholas Meriwether by my Father Fras Clements Deced. provided that the said Church wardens and Vestry doth pay to my Uncle Capt William Browne or his Heirs Ten pounds Current money of Virgr within nine months after this Date but if they refuse to pay the said mony unto my said uncle Capt William Browne Order or then I give & bequeath to my said Uncle Capt William Browne the aforesaid Plantation or Tract of Land to him his heirs and Asigns for Ever.
Third I bequeath to my Loving Uncles Majr. Nicho Merriweather and Capt. William Browne each of them a Gold ring of fifteen shillings Value.
Fourth I bequeath to my Loving Cozs William David Eliza: Jane Sarah and Mary Meriweather Children of Majr. Nicho. Meriweather and Ann Johnson wife of Thomas Johnson and to Jane Walker Mary Elizth and Anne Browne to each of them a gold ring to the Value of ten shillings
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my Brother Benjamin Clements an Entry for fifty Acres of Land that lies on the Spring Swamp above my Land to him his heirs and Asigns for Ever I also give him all my wearing Clothes both Linen and Woolen and Pistolls holsters and Sword and a young mare that is at his house and my sadle and bridle and boots and a gray horse I bought of Mr Robert Webb Junr if he can find him he is now strayed from me and my two Largest Steers spay’d Sows and barrow but on Consideration of the above Legaces if my Mother in Law Lydia Clements will Deliver unto my Executor herafter named a bill which hath under my hand for Eighteen pounds Currant Money Dated the third day of December 1710 that my then said Brother shall injoy the above sd Legaces immediately after my Death but otherways I Give him nothing and it shall return to my Execurr
Sixtly I Give and bequeath to my brother Thomas Clements my Plantation on the Spring Swamp bounded as followeth beginning four hundred yards below my Dwelling house on that branch whereon my house stands and so Crossing the neck Parralel with the head line and so up the sd. swamp and branch unto the said line Containing one hundred and Sixteen Acres more or less, to him and his heirs for Ever and six Cows and Ten Sows and a feather bed and boulster & Rug & blanket a [pn.] of Sheets Three pewter dishes three plates & bason & Iron pot & frying pan six spoons to be Delivered him at the Age of Eighteen but in Consideration of the said Legacis if my mother in Law Lydia Clements will Deliver unto my Executor hereafter named a bill she hath under my hand for Eighteen pound Currt. mony Dated the third Day of December December (repeated) 1710 that then my brother Thomas Clements Shall be possessed of the abovesd Legacy at the age of Eighteen years but otherways I give him nothing and it shall return to my Executors.
Seventh I Give and bequeath to my Cousin Henry Browne all my Land on the North side the Spring Swamp and all my Land below my plantation that I have [given my brother Thomas Clements] Conditionaly between the Spring Swamp and the main branch Containing two Hundred Acres more or less to him his heirs and Assigns for Ever I also give him my horse I bought of him last [l’e]
Eight I Give and bequeath unto my Cousin William Browne Junr all the rest of my Estate both Real and Personall after my Just Debts and Legacis are paid Including the Legacy given me by my Father to him and his heirs for Ever
Lastly I nominate and appoint my Loving Cousin William Browne Junr. My full and Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament Revoaking all former Wills In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal this Eighth day of April 1721
Signed Sealed & delivered F. Clements Sealed
In Presents of In red wax
Nicholas Maget At a Court held at Southwark for the
Henry Browne County of Surry June the 21st 1721
Edward Harris his mark
The within mentioned Will of Francis Clements deced being presented by William Browne Junr Executr: thereof who made Oath thereto and being proved by the Oaths of Nicho. Maget Henry Browne and Edward Harris Wittnesses thereto the Same is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by J. A: Allen C Cur
The will of Francis Clements, Jr., was dated 8 April 1721 and presented to court 21 June 1721.733
In the Name of God Amen I Francis Clements of Surry County being sick & weak in body but of perfect Sence of Memory Thanks be given to almighty God therefore make and Ordain this my Last Will and Testamt in manner and form as followeth
First and princaple I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Creator and Jesus Chriist my Redeemer fully Trusting in his Merits for Remission of all my Sins and for what Estate it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I do dispose of as is hereafter Expresst
Second I bequeath unto the Church-wardens and Vestry of South parish in Surry County and the sucessors for Ever my Plantation and Land call’d and known by the name Indian springs containing six hundred and fifty Acres more or less for a Glebe for the said parish the same being bought of Majr. Nicholas Meriwether by my Father Fras Clements Deced. provided that the said Church wardens and Vestry doth pay to my Uncle Capt William Browne or his Heirs Ten pounds Current money of Virgr within nine months after this Date but if they refuse to pay the said mony unto my said uncle Capt William Browne Order or then I give & bequeath to my said Uncle Capt William Browne the aforesaid Plantation or Tract of Land to him his heirs and Asigns for Ever.
Third I bequeath to my Loving Uncles Majr. Nicho Merriweather and Capt. William Browne each of them a Gold ring of fifteen shillings Value.
Fourth I bequeath to my Loving Cozs William David Eliza: Jane Sarah and Mary Meriweather Children of Majr. Nicho. Meriweather and Ann Johnson wife of Thomas Johnson and to Jane Walker Mary Elizth and Anne Browne to each of them a gold ring to the Value of ten shillings
Fifthly I give and bequeath to my Brother Benjamin Clements an Entry for fifty Acres of Land that lies on the Spring Swamp above my Land to him his heirs and Asigns for Ever I also give him all my wearing Clothes both Linen and Woolen and Pistolls holsters and Sword and a young mare that is at his house and my sadle and bridle and boots and a gray horse I bought of Mr Robert Webb Junr if he can find him he is now strayed from me and my two Largest Steers spay’d Sows and barrow but on Consideration of the above Legaces if my Mother in Law Lydia Clements will Deliver unto my Executor herafter named a bill which hath under my hand for Eighteen pounds Currant Money Dated the third day of December 1710 that my then said Brother shall injoy the above sd Legaces immediately after my Death but otherways I Give him nothing and it shall return to my Execurr
Sixtly I Give and bequeath to my brother Thomas Clements my Plantation on the Spring Swamp bounded as followeth beginning four hundred yards below my Dwelling house on that branch whereon my house stands and so Crossing the neck Parralel with the head line and so up the sd. swamp and branch unto the said line Containing one hundred and Sixteen Acres more or less, to him and his heirs for Ever and six Cows and Ten Sows and a feather bed and boulster & Rug & blanket a [pn.] of Sheets Three pewter dishes three plates & bason & Iron pot & frying pan six spoons to be Delivered him at the Age of Eighteen but in Consideration of the said Legacis if my mother in Law Lydia Clements will Deliver unto my Executor hereafter named a bill she hath under my hand for Eighteen pound Currt. mony Dated the third Day of December December (repeated) 1710 that then my brother Thomas Clements Shall be possessed of the abovesd Legacy at the age of Eighteen years but otherways I give him nothing and it shall return to my Executors.
Seventh I Give and bequeath to my Cousin Henry Browne all my Land on the North side the Spring Swamp and all my Land below my plantation that I have [given my brother Thomas Clements] Conditionaly between the Spring Swamp and the main branch Containing two Hundred Acres more or less to him his heirs and Assigns for Ever I also give him my horse I bought of him last [l’e]
Eight I Give and bequeath unto my Cousin William Browne Junr all the rest of my Estate both Real and Personall after my Just Debts and Legacis are paid Including the Legacy given me by my Father to him and his heirs for Ever
Lastly I nominate and appoint my Loving Cousin William Browne Junr. My full and Sole Executor of this my Last Will and Testament Revoaking all former Wills In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal this Eighth day of April 1721
Signed Sealed & delivered F. Clements Sealed
In Presents of In red wax
Nicholas Maget At a Court held at Southwark for the
Henry Browne County of Surry June the 21st 1721
Edward Harris his mark
The within mentioned Will of Francis Clements deced being presented by William Browne Junr Executr: thereof who made Oath thereto and being proved by the Oaths of Nicho. Maget Henry Browne and Edward Harris Wittnesses thereto the Same is ordered to be recorded and is recorded by J. A: Allen C Cur
Research notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Francis Jr. is believed to be the only known child of Francis and Elizabeth. All of Francis Sr.’s other known children were by his second wife. One half sister of Francis Jr., Mary, married William Browne, the son of Jane Meriwether and Capt. William Brown, aunt & uncle of Francis Jr.
Francis died, unmarried, between 8 April 1721, when his will was dated, and 21 June 1721, when his will was probated in Surry County.
Reference notes for Francis Clements Jr.
Francis Clements, Jr.
The Clements Family, TVF p. 662-683 734
Francis was the oldest son of Capt. Francis Clements, and the child of his wife, Elizabeth Meriwether Clements. [52] He was probably born about 1694 and grew up in Surry County. [53] There is no evidence that Francis was ever married. He made no mention of a wife or children his will [sic]. The will of Francis Clements II was written April 8, 1721, and was presented in court on June 21, 1721. [54]
As stated earlier, he left his plantation, “Indian Springs”, to the Parish of Southwark. At the time of his father’s death, Francis was living at “the Springs”, the plantation that his father had given him in Isle of Wight County. He referred to his dwelling on that plantation when he bequeathed 116 acres to his brother,Thomas Clements. He left an entry for fifty acces on Spring Swamp above his plantation to his brother, Benjamin. Francis left the rest of Spring Swamp plantation to his cousin, Henry Browne. William Browne, Jr., who was also his cousin was named his executor. William was the son of Francis’ aunt, Jane Merriwether Browne and married Francis’ half-sister, Mary Clements.
The Clements Family, TVF p. 662-683 734
Francis was the oldest son of Capt. Francis Clements, and the child of his wife, Elizabeth Meriwether Clements. [52] He was probably born about 1694 and grew up in Surry County. [53] There is no evidence that Francis was ever married. He made no mention of a wife or children his will [sic]. The will of Francis Clements II was written April 8, 1721, and was presented in court on June 21, 1721. [54]
As stated earlier, he left his plantation, “Indian Springs”, to the Parish of Southwark. At the time of his father’s death, Francis was living at “the Springs”, the plantation that his father had given him in Isle of Wight County. He referred to his dwelling on that plantation when he bequeathed 116 acres to his brother,Thomas Clements. He left an entry for fifty acces on Spring Swamp above his plantation to his brother, Benjamin. Francis left the rest of Spring Swamp plantation to his cousin, Henry Browne. William Browne, Jr., who was also his cousin was named his executor. William was the son of Francis’ aunt, Jane Merriwether Browne and married Francis’ half-sister, Mary Clements.