Benjamin Woodson, Sr.

Male 1693 - 1777  (84 years)


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  • Name Benjamin Woodson 
    Suffix Sr. 
    Birth 1685-1693  Henrico County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Gender Male 
    Death 1777  Fluvanna County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Person ID I41162  The Hennessee Family
    Last Modified 5 Sep 2019 

    Father John Woodson, III,   b. 1655, (Curles, Henrico, Colony of Virginia) Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 1 May 1700, Curles, Henrico, Colony of Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 45 years) 
    Mother Mary Tucker,   b. 1660, Curles, Henrico, Colony of Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1710, Henrico County, Virginia Colony Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 50 years) 
    Marriage 20 Aug 1681  Curles, Henrico, Colony of Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [3, 4
    • He married about 1677 to Mary Tucker, daughter of Capt. Samuel Tucker and his wife Jane Larcome. Mary Woodson died in 1710 in Henrico County. She is said to have been the orphan of a ship's captain. The name of Samuel Tucker's vessel was the Vinetree. He was trading on the Virginia coast and perhaps died at sea. His widow, Jane (Larcome) Tucker, then married John Pleasants, of Curles, Henrico County, VA.
    Family ID F15724  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Frances Napier,   b. 5 Feb 1695, Goochland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1778, Fluvanna County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years) 
    Marriage 1720  Fluvanna County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 3
    Children 
     1. Benjamin Woodson,   b. Abt 1725, (Fluvanna County) Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 1808, Fluvanna County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 82 years)
    Family ID F14866  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 30 Apr 2023 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - 1685-1693 - Henrico County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - 1720 - Fluvanna County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - 1777 - Fluvanna County, Virginia Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Notes 
    • BENJAMIN WOODSON, SR.4

      Benjamin Woodson, Sr., was the son of John3 and Mary (Tucker) Woodson. He was born ca 1693 in Henrico County, Virginia and died in 1778 in Fluvanna County, Virginia, aged about 85 years.

      Benjamin Woodson, Sr. married, ca 1720, in Henrico County, VA. Francis Napier, daughter of Capt. Robert2 Napier and his wife Mary Perrin. Frances Napier was born 5, February 1694/95, in New Kent County, Virginia, and was last known to be living on 25 October 1777 in Fluvanna County, Virginia at the age of 82 years.

      The Woodson’s and the Napiers were united for the first time in 1720 when both families dwelt in Henrico County, Virginia. It would have been impossible for Frances Napier not to know about the Woodson family, and conversely, we find it hard to imagine that Benjamin Woodson was not aware of Miss Napier. Their prominence in the affairs of the colony and the plantations indicates they may have known each other from some years and had a lengthy courtship. As facts on Capt. Robert2 Napier reveal, he had dealings at the courthouse at Varina, the old County Seat for Henrico County, as early as the 1690s before his own family was produced.

      Benjamin and Frances was the first marriage between the two families, but it was not the last. Two of their own grandchildren, Elizabeth and Tabitha Woodson were married to two more of the Napier's a couple of generations later.

      While Woodson was a lifelong inhabitant of Henrico, until it was subdivided and the plantation fell into Goochland County, Frances Napier was raised in several counties. It is probably correct to say she was born in New Kent, raised in King and Queen, King William and Henrico, and lived her married life in Goochland, Ablemarle and Fluvanna Counties, yet not to have moved from the place of her birth very far. Certainly, in the years from her marriage until her death in is probable that she never moved at all, living on the same land all the rest of here life.

      The Woodson family first appears in the records if Goochland County, Virginia as far as our examination of records goes, in a deed of gift as follows:

      To All people ... I, Adam Buttrey of Goochland County, Virginia, in consideration of the affection I beare unto my Godson Bouth Woodson, son of Benjamin & ffrances Woodson of the same County, ... for ¹10. paid by his ffather Benjamin Woodson ... 120 acres ... Dated 8 June 1734. Signed Adam "A" Buttrey his mark. Witnesses: Rene Napier, Patrick Napier and ffra: Woodson. This was proved at Court January 21, 1734/5 by the oaths of the witnesses before Henry Wood, clerk of the court.

      The land was in trust for Booth Woodson since he was a minor at the time this instrument was written.

      The next mention of this couple is in a scandalous case set before the County Court of Goochland in February Term, 1739. Patrick3 Napier and Rene3 Napier, with Frances, wife of Benjamin Woodson, all of Goochland, were charged with the kidnapping of Martha Claiborne, an orphan minor of Thomas Claiborne. She was, at the time of the alleged abduction, living with her sister and brother-in-law, Joseph and Frances (Claiborne) Thompson. Frances Woodson was found not guilty. Of course, the two Napier's involved where her brothers. No animosity seems to have resulted. A couple of years later, Martha Claiborne married to Patrick3 Napier, one of her accused abductors.

      The Woodson’s lived long and saw many grandchildren. In his will, Benjamin, Sr. gave property to sons Benjamin, Jr., John, Rene and Patrick, and daughters Mary Perrin Fitzpatrick and Frances Anderson. He also remembered several grandchildren, including Elizabeth Booth Woodson, Benjamin and Joseph Fitzpatrick, and George and Benjamin Anderson. This will is dated 25, November 1777 and proved 3, September 1778 at Fluvanna Courthouse. He appointed his wife Frances Executrix and sons Benjamin, Rene and Patrick as Executors. He must have considered her able to carry out that work, and healthy enough for her age. However, she did not participate in the execution of the will after all and may have been ill by that time. Frances Napier Woodson left no will and no administration was taken out.

      Children of Benjamin and Frances (Napier) Woodson:

      1. Booth Woodson, born ca 1721, Henrico County, VA. died 1757, Goochland Co.; married Tabitha Cocke sister to Rebecca, wife of Benjamin 5 Woodson, Jr. No issue. Tabitha Cocke is said to have married second to John Winston, and had at least one child, Sarah Winston, Born 14, May 1761.

      2. Benjamin5 Woodson, Jr. born ca 1725-30, Henrico Co., VA. and died 1808, Fluvanna County, VA. Married (1) Rebecca Cocke; married (2) Frances "Franky" Jordan.

      3. Mary Perrin Woodson, born 1720s, still living in December 1786, married ca 1735-40, Joseph Fitzpatrick, son of William Fitzpatrick who is said to have come from Ireland about 1710. See Fitzpatrick Family for continuation of my husbands line.

      4. Rene Woodson, born 1730s, Goochland County, VA. died 1817/18, Fluvanna Co., VA., married (1) 1758 Mary Thompson (she died shortly in or after childbirth 1759); married (2) 2, February 1775, St. James Northam Church, Martha Johnson, of Louisa Co., VA; (She survived him.) He was Commissioner of the Provision Law, Fluvanna, 1780-82.

      5. Frances Woodson, born 1730s, Goochland Co., VA. living in 1778; married about 1752, George Anderson, born 1733, alive in 1800, Fluvanna Co., VA.

      6. John Woodson, born 1740s, Goochland Co., VA. or Ablemarle, living 1800, Fluvanna Co., VA., married 20 March 1760, St. James Northan Church, Goochland Co., VA., Mary Mims.

      7. Patrick Woodson, born 1740s, Goochland or Ablemarle, Co., VA., dead by 30, March 1722 when his estate Inventory was filed in Fluvanna Court. Married Nancy Cloof, she living 24 November 1823. His inventory was totaled at $10,788.50, including 47 slaves. Patrick Woodson, Sr., and Jr. are mentioned, and one Rene Woodson was paid for giving out whiskey at the sale. [3]
    • NOTE: testament: Fluvanna County, Virginia [25 Oct 1777]

      NOTE: Will of Benjamin Woodson (Sr)

      at Book 1 Deeds and Wills, Fluvanna County, pp.9-10.

      IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN, I. Benjamin Woodson of Fluvanna County, being Sick of Body but of Perfect Sence and Sound Memory to make and ordaine this my Last Will & Testament in manner and form as followes:

      First - my desire is that all my just Debts be paid and then what the Lord has bestowing upon of this worlds wealth I give asd followeth:

      Item - I bequeath unto my son BENJAMIN WOODSON, Jr, the whold of my Estate that he the said Benja. Woodson has now in his possession to him and his Heirs forever.

      Item, I give unto my Son John Woodson the estate I before have given him now is his possesion to him & his heirs forever, he paying to William Fitzpatrick fifteen pounds current money & making Rene Napier a right to one hundred acres of land in Goochland County on Lickinghole Creek.

      Item - I give to my son Rene Woodson one Negroe Man named Mark now in his possession and all the estate I have before given him now in his possession to him & his heirs forever.

      Item - I give & bequeath unto my son Patrick Woodson the whole of my Estate now in his possession except Negro Frank and Janny, which I lend unto my wife Frances Woodson during her life and after her decease to return to my son Patrick Woodson.

      I lend to my Daughter Mary Perrin Fitzpatrick Negro Moll and Toby during her life and after her decease, Toby to return to Benjamin Fitzpatrick and Moll to Joseph Fitzpatrick jto them and their Heirs forever.

      I lend to my Daughter Frances Anderson and my Son in Law George Anderson, one hundred acres of land and the Plantation whereon they now live during their Lives and after their decease to return to George Anderson, Junior to him & his Heirs forever. I also lend my said son in law & Daughter four Negroes - Lucy, Isbell, Sharod & Amey during their lives and after their decease to be equally divided amongst their children then living, except Benjamin Anderson.

      I give & bequeath unto my Grand Daughter Elizabeth Buth Woodson five head of cattle to her and her heirs forever.

      I give and bequeath to my grand son Benjamin Anderson one Negro man named Ellick which he has in his possession to him & his Heirs forever.

      I do appoint my sons Benjamin Woodson, Rene Woodson & Patrick Woodson Executors and my Wife Frances Woodson Executrix of this my last Will and Testament revoking all other will or wills by me made.

      IN WITNESS whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal this 25th day of October 1777.

      Benja X Woodson (SL)

      Signed sealed & acknowledged in presence of us

      George Clough, Senr., Archbill Sneed, George Clough Jr.

      AT A COURT Held Thursday, 3 Sept. 1778, and by the oath of the witnesses, will was proved, and on the motion of Rene Woodson and Patrick Woodson, the Executors named, who took the necessary oathes, will was proved and ordered to be recorded.

      Teste: John Cobbs, C.C. [2]
    • Benjamin Woodson's antecedents ...http://www.wikitree.com/treewidget/Woodson-135/9 [5]

  • Sources