Franklin 2

10 Apr 1765: Along with [brother] Henry Franklin Junior, James witnessed a deed from [brother-in-law] Joseph and [Joseph's brother] Richard Ballenger to [father] Henry Franklin on a branch of Beaver Creek in Amherst County, VA.[1]

29 Aug 1772: He and Peter Hart purchased 2 slaves and 1 penknife for 5 shillings from Peter Allock.[2]

28 Dec 1777: Along with Thomas Waugh and John Ware, James witnessed the marriage of Patty Davis to William Ware in Amherst County.

6 Jan 1778: He witnessed the marriage of Ann Mitchell and George Stovall in Amherst County. Other witnesses were Joseph Cooper and Thomas Stovall.

1 Jun 1779: He witnessed a purchase of land in Amherst County by Richard Ballenger.

2 Aug 1779: Along with Angus McDonald and Walter Power, James witnessed a deed from Adam Reid to Richard Ballenger on Three Forks of the Pedlar River.[3]

13 Sep 1781: James had already been a Captain in the Continental Line, 10th VA Regiment for three years when he was recommended as a recruiting officer by Hugh Rose as he had "acted with credit . . . 10th VA Regt".[5] He was supposedly promoted to Major as was called "Major James Franklin by Bailey Fulton Davis. Let's not forget, however, that most soldiers are promoted by their descendants.

10 Nov 1785: He witnessed the marriage of Sophia Penn to William Sidney Crawford in Amherst County. Other witnesses were James Calloway and Philip Roote.

8 Oct 1787: He witnessed a deed from Linn Banks to Lindsey Coleman on the north branch of the Buffalo River.[6]

15 Dec 1796: "Bachelor" James married Nancy Crews in Amherst County, the ceremony being performed by Rev. William Crawford. Surety: Reuben Crawford.[7]

1800 Tax List, Lexington Parish, Amherst County, VA: 1 male; 9 horses; 19 slaves over 16, 2 12-16.[8]

16 Dec 1806: James was named co-executor of the will of [brother] Joel Franklin.[9] He may also have been the James Franklin who witnessed the document.

17 Jul 1813: James signed his will, leaving "my plantation on south side of Rutledge with mansion house" to his widow.[10]

16 Aug 1813: The will was proved when John Camm, James P. Garland, and Benjamin Brown attested to his handwriting. Administrator: N. F. T. Crews.[11] On both 17 Jul 1813 and 16 Aug 1813 Thomas Crews posted bond as administrator of the estate. Surely that first date is an error. The inventory was filed 22 Aug 1815 by T. S. Holloway, B. Stone and Gideon Rucker. The estate wasn't divided until 1820, then the division wasn't recorded until 19 Sep 1825.[12] Nancy's sister Ann C. Davis received Lot #4 when the estate was divided.

30 Jun 1842: Nancy Crews Ballenger signed her will, witnessed by Edmund Penn and John H. Roberts. It it she named deceased sister Ann C. Davies, who received 1/3 of her estate, Ally W. Davies, and deceased daughter Elizabeth H. Brown. A codicil named granddaughter Ann E. Scott, widow of Dr. Samuel Scott.

19 May 1845: Nancy's will was proved, with Henry L. Davies, [son-in-law] Howell D. Brown, [daughter] Sally W. Davis named as the administrators. The inventory, filed January 1874, totaled $2,275.[13] The estate was divided on 19 Jun 1848.

Another possible child was James Franklin Junior, who witnessed Judith Franklin's will in 1810. As he was not mentioned in James' will, did he die before 17 Jul 1813 - Or was he disinherited?[14]

23 Sep 1757: Joel Franklin was born in Albemarle [later Amherst] County, VA.

22 Feb 1781: He filed a property claim in Amherst County, VA for "26 lb of bacon . . . militia 19-6".[15]

According to one anonymous researcher, he served as a Private during the Revolutionary War.

1783 Tax List, Chesterfield County, VA: Joel Franklyn is listed with 5 whites; 2 blacks.[16]

17 Sep 1792: Along with [brother] Samuel, he filed bond as administrator of [father] Henry Franklin's estate in Amherst County.[17]

7 Jan 1794: Joel and Susannah Lewis, the daughter of Harden and Sarah Price Lewis, were married in Albemarle County. Surety: John Carr.[18] Their eldest son Henry, however, was supposedly born on 1 Feb 1788, and second son James c. 1790. Are the dates wrong, or were the first two children born out of wedlock?

1800 Tax List, Lexington Parish, Amherst County, VA: 1 male; 8 horses; 6 slaves over 16, 2 12-16.[19]

21 Dec 1801: Joel was security for Sam Franklin in the latter's responsibility as tobacco inspector at Camden's warehouse, and again on 15 Oct 1804.[20]

15 Feb 1802: He posted bond as the administrator of [brother-in-law] Joseph Ballenger's estate in Amherst County.[21]

16 Dec 1806: Joel signed his will, naming wife Susannah, [probable brother] James Franklin, and Jeremiah Franklin as executors. In it, he bequeathed the 842 acres "where I live" to his five daughters and his unborn child. He owned land on Big Maple Run, Indian Creek Road, Church Field, and the main road. Witnesses: Robert Rives, Barlett Cash, Thomas Penn, and James Franklin.[22] This Jeremiah is presumed to be the man who married Phoebe Franklin, Joel's sister. He was the son of Bernard Franklin; but who was Bernard Franklin?

19 Oct 1807: Joel's will was proved. The three administrators posted bond, with Thomas Crews, Benjamin Brown, and Spotswood Garland as securities.

18 Aug 1823: An estate sale was held at "late residence of Mrs. Franklin".[23]

Children of Joel and Susannah Lewis Franklin: According to his will, Joel was the father of 5 daughters and one other child still unborn on 16 Dec 1806.

17 Nov 1784: Samuel was surety for the marriage bond of William Smith and [sister] Philadelphia Franklin in Amherst County. Father Henry Franklin gave his consent.[24]

6 Aug 1787: A Samuel Franklin made oath that Milley Franklin was "above 18" for her marriage to Jacob Scott. Was this our Samuel? And who was Milley Franklin?[25]

17 Sep 1792: Along with [brother] Joel, he posted bond as administrator for the Henry Franklin estate in Amherst County.[26]

1 Jan 1794: Samuel married Rachel Powell, daughter of Thomas and Ann Cash Powell, in Amherst County. Both bride and groom were "of Lexington Parish". The surety was [brother-in-law] Joseph Ballenger.[27]

1800 Tax List, Lexington Parish, Amherst County, VA: 1 male; 3 horses; 2 slaves.[28]

21 Dec 1801: Samuel was named as and/or posted bond as the tobacco inspector at Camden's Ware House. Bondsman: Joel Franklin. He was also named to the same post on 20 Sep 1802, 15 Oct 1804, 15 Sep 1806, and 21 Sep 1807. (Joel was his security again in 1804.)[29]

Henry T. Franklin (c. 1801 – c.1836; m. Locky Leftwich) Why two sons with the same first name? It's not impossible, but very unlikely.

Abner H. Franklin (c. 1822 – ; m. 1st Mary A. Witt, m. 2nd Willa Baber, m. 3rd Ann E. Salmon)

If you have any material about, or photos of, any individuals included in Nancy's Dead Relatives, can add well-documented family lines, have corrections and/or comments, or wish to establish a link to or from this site, please contact me at nancy@nancysdeadrelatives.com. However, the decision whether or not to include any submitted material is the webmaster's (mine) alone.

Any information is only as reliable as its source. Evaluate the following sources accordingly.

[1] Davis, Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Deeds, Vols. 1 and 2, p. 338, 335

[2] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Deeds, Vols. 1 and 2, p. 403

[3] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Deeds, Vols. 1 and 2, p. 25, from original p. 426

[4] Davis, Albemarle County, Virginia Impressed Property Claims, from p. 481

[5] Dorman, The Virginia Genealogist, v. 17, n. 4, p. 294, Oct-Dec 1973, from Executive Papers; Davis, Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 11-12, from Book 5, p. 235

[6] Davis, Albemarle County, Virginia Impressed Property Claims, from p. 234

[7] Sweeny, Marriage Bonds and Other Marriage Records of Amherst County, Virginia 1763 -1800, p. 31; Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills , p. 12

[8] Dorman, v. 5, p. 156

[9] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, from original p. 62

[10] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills , p. 11, from Book 5, p. 235

[11] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills , p. 11, from Book 5, p. 235

[12] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills , p. 12, from Book 5, p. 520; Book 6, p. 623

[13] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 13, from Book 11, p. 314

[14] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 13, from Book 5, p. 38; Dorman, v. 5, p. 156

[15] Albemarle County, Virginia Impressed Property Claims, from p. 490

[16] Heads of Families, First Census of the U.S. 1790, Virginia: Records of the State Enumerations 1782 - 1785, p. 51

[17] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 11, from Book 3, p. 239

[18] Wulfeck, Marriages of Some Virginia Residents 1607 - 1800, p. 56

[19] Dorman, v. 5, p.156

[20] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 14, from Book 4, p. 249, 278

[21] Book 4, p. 342

[22] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, from original p. 62

[23] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 12, from Book 6, p. 383

[24] Sweeny, p. 70

[25] Sweeny, p. 68

[26] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 11, from Book 3, p. 239

[27] Sweeny, p. 31

[28] Dorman, v. 5, p. 156

[29] Abstracts of Amherst County, Virginia Wills, p. 14, from Book 4, p. 249, 252, 278, 283, 513

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