William & Anne Roberts Toole

c. 1756: William Toole was born in Culpeper County, VA. His parentage is unverified, but his paternal ancestry may have been: William Toole, c. 1756 » Samuel Toole » John Toole » Nathaniel Toole. Researcher Sharon Lee believes that William was born in Ireland c. 1765, as does Linda Goda. Sharon also claims, however, that daughter Lucy was born in VA c. 1780, which doesn't reconcile with a birth year of 1765 for her father.

c. 1760: Anne Roberts was born in VA. Sharon Lee claims that her name was actually Nancy Ann Roberts. Her parents are believed to have been George Roberts and Elizabeth Kirk.[1]

1 May 1780: A William Tool was reportedly among the Kentuckians signing Petition No. 11 to the Virginia General Assembly. But William had presumably not moved to Kentucky as yet. The petition itself was transcribed in Robertson's Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky, but the latter doesn't contain a list of signatories.[3]

June 1784: William Tool received a grant for two tracts on the north fork of Rough Creek in Jefferson County, KY, one of 1,106 acres and one of 6,000 acres.[4] Jefferson County was formed in 1780. Nelson and Shelby Counties, among others, were formed from it.

20 Oct 1794: William Tool of Culpepper County, VA, granted power of attorney to Samuel Orr of Washington County, KY to divide several tracts of land jointly held by Toole and James Allen of Fauquair County, VA; and also to lay off property belonging to William Roberts the Surveyor and to make a conveyance to vest William Roberts with full title. Who was James Allen?

William was a member of Six Mile Baptist Church, formed 1799, a member church in the "Long Run Association of 1803".[5]

22 Mar 1800: In Nelson County, KY, Samuel Stigler signed his will which included the following behest: "I give and bequealth to my daughter Gilly Stigler a certain tract of land 200 acres more or less lying in Hardin County on Rough Creek and its waters having a bond for the same assigned by Samuel Brown the right being in William Tool of Shelby County and State of Kentucky".[6] Hardin County had been formed from Nelson County in 1792. The counties have changed but the property is still on Rough Creek.

1807: William Tool Senior made a deed of gift ("for love and affection") to son Daniel Tool of one-half interest [James Allen owned the other half] in 1,000 acres in Hardin County, KY. Witnesses: James Allen and William Tool.[7] Here's James Allen again.

1810 Census, Shelby County, KY: The household of William Tool consisted of 1 male over 45; 1 female 16-26, 1 26-45, 1 over 45; and 8 slaves. Enumerated next to them was Daniel Tool.[8]

In the name of God, Amen - I William Tool of the State of Kentucky, and County of Shelby, being weak of body, but of sound and disposing memory, do make, ordain, constitute, and appoint this my last will and testament, in manner and form following -

Imprimis. After all my just debts are paid, the residue of my estate, real & personal, I dispose of as follows - In the first place I give and bequeath to my beloved wife Ann, the plantation or tract of land whereon I now live, and a Negro boy named George, during her natural life, and also the use of a Negro man called James, and a Negro woman named Suky for and during the life of my S. wife also, and I do further bequeath to my S. wife, all my live stock of every description together with all my household furniture, and farming utensils for her use during her life as aforeS.

Item - I give and bequeath to my son Daniel, all that part of a tract of land which I hold in conjunction with William Roberts, which land is situate[d] in Henry County, on the Ohio River near Westport, and after my wife's decease I give to my __ Sone [sic], one feather bed and furniture.

Item - I give and bequeath to my son William, the plantation, or tract of land, whereon I now live, after my wife's decease, together with all the live stock and household furniture not herein before bequeathed, with my farming utensils, that may remain after my wife's decease.

Item - I give and bequeath to my daughter Nancy, three Negro boys, one named George, which she is to receive after the decease of my wife, he having been bequeathed to her until that period - the other two boys, Charles & Dick, to be her property when this my will shall take effect.

Item - I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Purlina Bell, a Mullato boy named Ben, and a Negro girl named Janey.

Item - I give and bequeath to my granddaughter Juliet Bohon, one Negro boy named Arch, hereby revoking, disallowing, and disannulling all former wills by me made. And I do hereby make, ordain, constitute and appoint my son William and my son-in-law Thomas Bohon, executors of this my last will and testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal, this 28th day of February 1815.

1817: William Tool purchased property on Six Mile Creek from the heirs of Hite.[9a] Or was this William Junior?

6 Feb 1818: He sold one lot on the waters of Six Mile Creek to Walker Daniel. Witnesses Daniel Tool, Richard Meriwether, ______ Wilcoxson. The deed was proved Feb 1819.[10]

16 Mar 1818: William Toole Senior sold four lots totaling 2 acres in Christiansburg to E. L. Starling for $620. Witnesses: William Toole Junior, Walker Daniel, and John Wooldridge.[10a]

28 Mar 1818: He sold two parcels to [son] Daniel Toole for $320: 1) 1/4 acre on the main street of Christiansburgh adjoining lot #1 on the east; 2) 1/4 acre known as the Spring Mill Lot adjoining William Croford and the road from Newcastle to Harrodsburg. Witnesses: Daniel Wilcoxson, John Woolridge, and John (x) Radcliff. Spring Mill lot included a "horse mill". On that same day, William and Nancy sold 12 or 13 plus acres on the waters Six Mile Creek to John Radcliff. This conveyance was witnessed by William M. Ford and Nicholas S. Smith. Both William and Ann signed with their marks. William's wife was referred to as Nancy in the body of the deed, but Ann in the signature portion.[10b]

23 Apr 1818: He sold 152 acres and 40 poles on Six Mile Creek adjoining John Radcliff, Fitzgerald Ratcliff, William Neville, Buzan, Ford, Griffith, and Reuben Redding to Henry Beckley for $2,740. Witnesses: Seth Cook, Thomas Mitchell, D. Tool, and Thomas Bohon.[10c]

18 Jun 1818: William Tool Senior sold 52 1/2 poles on the waters of Six Mile Creek adjoining Walker Daniel on the road from Newcastle to Harrodsburg to Richard Harrald for $30. Witnesses: Daniel Tool, William R. Roberts, John M. Ogdon.[10d]

Oct 1818: In one last flurry of deeds, William put his affairs in order, disposing of all his remaining goods and property not covered in his will:

1) He sold land to the trustees of Six Mile Baptist Church for $20, land upon which Six Mile Baptist Church "now stands". Witnesses: Nicholas S. Smith and John Radcliff. The trustees were John Metcalf, Jesse Lewis, and William W. Ford.[11]

2) He granted power of attorney to "friend Thomas Bohon" and "son Daniel Tool Senior" to deal especially "with my part of the estate of William Roberts". Witnesses: Henry Beckley, William Crawford, and James Fitzgerald.

3) He made deeds of gift to the next generation, leaving 1/5 of the money or property due him from the William Roberts' estate to son-in-law James Morton and the remaining 4/5 to be equally divided between son-in-law Thomas Bohon and son Daniel Tool. In addition, he conveyed to son Daniel his beds, bedsteads, and furniture [bedclothes], one sorrel mare and bridle, one brindle cow and heifer, 4 of his "killing hogs" and the remaining hogs "after my present killing of pork", and 21 barrels of corn. There was an additional item, but the copy was unreadable. He deeded to son-in-law Thomas Bohon one dark red cow and heifer and [what certainly looks like] sugar and cheese. Witnesses: Henry Beckly and William Crawford.

4) He sold 2 lots totaling 10 acres on the main road in Christianburg to Daniel Wilcoxson for $75. Witnesses William Foree, William Tool, and Daniel Tool.[12]

Oct 1818: William died in Shelby County.[13] His will was proved the following month.

Was Anne Roberts Toole the over 45 female enumerated in the household of Thomas Bohon in the 1820 Census? According to Margaret Toole, there was a 80-90 year old female in the same household in 1830.

17 Oct 1831: Anne signed her own will, which was proved in 1832. The original can be found in Shelby County Wills 1794-1817, p. 394.

27 Aug 1850 Census, Shelby County, KY: Lucy Morton 66, born VA, real property valued at $4,300; Lucy A. Snider 8, born KY. Lucy is listed next to Duranda Morton , age 62, and close to the families of Hiram and Ben Morton.[14]

1860 Census, Shelby County, KY (Shelbyville P.O.): Farmer Lucy Morton 76, born VA, with real and personal property valued at $7,000 and $7,220; Thomas Rucker 11, born KY; Lucy Snider 18, born KY.[15]

If you have material about 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.

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

[1] Linda Goda

[2] National Society, NSDAR, Patriot Index

[3] James Robertson, Petitions of the Early Inhabitants of Kentucky to the General Assembly of Virginia, 1769-1792, p. 53-55

[4] Book 8, p. 486 and Book 10, p. 321

[5] Willis, History of Shelby County, Kentucky, p. 75

[6] Nelson County, KY Will Book A, p. 676-678

[7] Book P, "H-75"

[8] Shelby County 1810 Census, p. 237

[9] Shelby County Will Book 4, p. 244

[9a] William Curless, from Book O, p. 211

[10] Book P, p. 508

[10a] Book S, p. 30

[10b] Book P, p. 298, 83

[10c] Book P, p. 85

[10d] Book W, p. 153

[11] Book P, p. 85

[12] The last three deeds are Book P, p. 121-125

[13] Linda Goda

[14] Shelby County 1850 Census, p. 367

[15] Shelby County 1860 Census, p. 128