Early Colonial Settlers of Southern Maryland and Virginia's Northern Neck Counties

William Pierce

Male Abt 1691 - 1733  (~ 42 years)


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  • Name William Pierce 
    Birth Abt 1691  Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Death 25 Sep 1733  Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia - probate Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I23978  Tree1
    Last Modified 21 Mar 2024 

    Father John Pierce,   b. Abt 1660, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1 Jun 1698, Richmond County, Virginia - probate Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 38 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Mother Easter Walker,   b. Abt 1667, North Farnham Parish, Old Rappahannock County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 1698, North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 30 years) 
    Relationship natural 
    Marriage Bef 3 Mar 1691  North Farnham Parish, Richmond County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F15845  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family Sibella MNU Pierce,   b. Abt 1695   d. Aft 1726, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age ~ 32 years) 
    Marriage Bef 24 Jun 1713  Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Children 
     1. Joseph Pierce,   b. 1728, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 5 Jun 1798, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 70 years)  [Father: natural]
     2. Sarah Pierce,   b. Bef 1716, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1768, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 54 years)  [Father: natural]
     3. William Pierce,   b. Bef 1720, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 26 Feb 1782, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia - probate Find all individuals with events at this location (Age > 62 years)  [Father: natural]
     4. Mary Pierce,   b. Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1733, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: natural]
     5. Elizabeth Pierce,   b. Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1733, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: natural]
     6. Margaret Pierce,   b. Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1733, Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, Virginia Find all individuals with events at this location  [Father: natural]
    Family ID F15846  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 21 Mar 2024 

  • Notes 
    • EW: William Pierce had lands on Machodoc Neck and the Colonial Beach area in addition to his over 4,000 acres east of Montross.

      ===
      1732-1734 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds & Will Book 8, Part 4 [Antient Press]; Page 216-216a
      IN THE NAME OF GOD, Amen. I WILLIAM PEIRCE of the Parrish of Copley in ye County of Westmorland, Planter, being very sick of body but of sound sence & memory, praise be given to God for the same, do constitute and ordain this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, Vizt. Imprimis. I recommend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it and my body to be decently interred-at ye discretion of my Exectrs: hereafter named;
      Item. I give unto my Son, WILLIAM PEIRCE, all the Land belonging where I live to him and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever; If my Son, WM: PEIRCE should die without such heirs lawfully begotten, then it is my desire that the said Land goe to my Son, JOSEPH PEIRCE, and unto the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever, And if my said Son, JOSEPH PEIRCE should die without such heirs lawfully begotten as aforesaid, Then I give and beqeuath ye foresaid Land to my Daughters, SARAH PEIRCE, MARY PEIRCE, ELIZABETH PEIRCE and MARGRET PEIRCE to be divided equally between them share and share alike and to the heirs of their bodies lawfully begotten for ever.
      Item. I give to my Son, JOSEPH PEIRCE, all ye track of Land & Plantation lying and being in ye FORREST of NOMINI being part & remainder of a Patent for two thousand five hundred acres of land and to the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever; And if my Son, JOSEPH PEIRCE should die without such heirs lawfull begotten as aforesaid, Then I give the said Land and Plantation as aforesaid unto my Son, WILLIAM PEIRCE and the heirs of his body lawfully begotten for ever; And if my said Son, WILLM: PEIRCE, should die without such heirs lawfully befotten as aforesaid, Then I give and bequeath the aforesaid Track of Land and Plantation unto my Daughters, SARAH PEIRCE MARY PEIRCE, ELIZABETH PEIRCE and MARGRET PEIRCE to be equelly divided between them share and share alike and to the heirs of their bodys lawfully befotten for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Son, WILLIAM PEIRCE, one Negro man named Dick and one Negro boy named Harry and a Negro girl named Jenny and her future Increase unto him and his heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Son, JOSEPH PEIRCE, one Negro boy named Tom and a Negro girl named Winney and one Negro girl named Nan and all their Increase to him & his heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Son, WILLIAM PEIRCE, all my Silver Plate namely one Dish, one Tankard, a large Salt Seller and one small ditto, six Spoons and one Tumbler to him and his heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Daughter, SARAH PEIRCE, one Negro woman named Kate unto her and her heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Daughter, MARY PEIRCE, one Negro man named Toney unto her
      and her heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Son, WILLIAM PEIRCE, one Negro man named Phillip unto him and his heirs for ever;
      Item. I give unto my Daughter, MARGRET PEIRCE, one Negro woman named Rose unto her and her heirs for ever; and allso five thousand pounds of tobacco to be paid her at the age of Eighteen years or at the day of Marriage by the Exrs. hereafter named out of his aforesaid Estate;
      I give unto my Daughter, ELIZABETH PEIRCE, one Negro girl named Moll unto her and her heirs for ever.
      As for the rest and remainder of my Estate not heretofore by me given, I give and bequeath unto WILLIAM PEIRCE, JOSEPH PEIRCE, SARAH PEIRCE, MARY PEIRCE, ELIZABETH PEIRCE and MARGRET PEIRCE equally to be divided between them share and share
      alike and unto their heirs for ever;
      Lastly. I nominate and appoint my trusty and beloved Bro: ROBT, TOMLIN and THOMAS DOZIER, whole and sole Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and disannulling all other Will or Wills heretofore by me made either by word or writing allowing and confirming this to be my _Last Will and Testament; In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this first day of August 1733
      Signed Sealed Published & Delivered to be my
      Last Will and Testament iighe presence of us
      ROBERT his mark THOMAS WILLIAM PEIRCE
      JOSEPH SANFORD, THO: EDCOCK WILLIAM PEIRCE his Writing
      Westmorld. ss. At a Court held for the sd. County the 25th day of September 1733 This Last Will and Testament of WILLIAM PEIRCE, deced., was presented into Court by ROBERT TOMLIN, Gent., and THOMAS DOZIER, Executors, who made Oath thereto, and being proved by the Oaths of the witnesses thereto, is admitted to Record
      Test G. TURBERVILE, C. C. W.
      Recorded the Seventeenth day of October 1733, pr. G. T., C. C. W.
      ===
      Westmoreland County, Va., Deeds & Will Bk.3,p.2--WILL of WILLIAM PIERCE Written: 24 Sept 1701 (This will was not probated though recorded) {Ed White Notes - WILL - DW 3-50, no date [Fothergill says 20 Feb. 1701], pv 3/25/1702/3.}

      Wife: Sarah
      1. to dau., Mary Rowzee, now wife of Edward Rowzee, both of Essex County, Virginia.
      2. to grandson, Samuel Bailey, son of John Bailey
      3. to grandson, William Pierce, son of John Pierce dec'd, when 21 yrs. of age.
      4. to dau., Elizabeth Bridges
      5. to dau., Margaret Graham
      6. to Thomas Marson and Rachel, his wife, --1,000 lbs. of Tob. [mm note - Thomas is probably some relation to Mary Masan}
      Execucotrs: Thomas Marson and my grandson, William Pierce
      Wit: Willliam Graham, SIMON LUTTRELL, Elizabeth Bridges

      1654-1800 Westmoreland County, Virginia Wills [Augusta B. Fothergill]; Page 31 {Ed White notes added}
      PIERCE, COLONEL WILLIAM, of Cople, gent.; 20 February 1701; 7 April 1702.
      To grandsons Pierce and Stanley Gower 300 acres of land father formerly lived in, part of 610 acres 20 March 1665/6;
      grandson Samuel Bayley son of John all my land on the south side of Pantico;
      grandson William Pierce son of John at 21 years of age the remaining lands in Virginia and slaves;
      daus. Elizabeth Bridges, Margaret Graham and Mary Rowzee;
      Thomas Marson and Rachel his wife 1,000 lbs. tobacco;
      exrs. Thomas Marson and grandson William Pierce;
      my son John Pierce the deceased father of grandson William;
      my wife Sarah one negro and her thirds.
      ===
      Virginia County Records, New Series, Volume I, 1913: Westmoreland County Westmoreland County Wills Book VIII. Westmoreland County Wills Book VIII.
      Name: William Pierce 01 Aug 1733 25 Sep 1733
      Sons William and Joseph ; daughters Sarah , Mary , Elizabeth and Margaret Pierce ; brother Robert Tomlin and Thomas Dozier exors.
      ===
      1705-1707 Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book, Part I [Antient Press]; Page 8
      Westmorland County. SS 27th day of February 1705/6
      - PEIRCE, WILLIAM Order for removall from MARSON,
      WILLIAM PIERCE, a Minor Son of JOHN PEIRCE, late of RICHMOND County, Gentleman, deced., and Grandson of WILLIAM PEIRCE, late of this County, Gentleman, deced., moveing this Court for liberty to chuse a Guardian and makeing choice of a person who lived out of this county, and who also in this Court's oppinion was himself a Minor it was not thought fitt to admitt the same, And for that it also appeared by the Last Will and Testament of his deceased Grand Father aforesaid that hee was principall Legatee in the same and that hee and one Mr. THOMAS MARSON were appointed Executors of the sd. Will, and that the said WILLIAM dureing his minority should bee brought upp and educated by the sd. MARSON. It was thought fitt the sd. WILLIAM to continue with him, &c., But upon further Heareing in the matter it appeareing the sd. MARSON to bee much deficient in the trust reposed in him by the said Testator in relacon to his the said WILLIAM's maintenance and educacon the Court have thought fitt to remove him and doe hereby order that WILLIAM PEIRCE bee forthwith removed and placed under the care and tuition ofNATHANIEL POPE, JUNR. who hath intermarried with one of the Daughters of the aforesd. WILLIAM PEIRCE, deced., and accept to him the said WILLIAM which said NATHANIEL hath now in Court undertaken and assumed upon himself for the maintenance and educacon of the said Orphant suitable to his quality and Estate, And to doe his endeavour tht hee bee instructed in all good literature and it is also further ordered that Mr. THOMAS MARSON bee annually accountable to and pay the said POPE all such necessary and reasonable charge, disbursment and discounts as hee the said NATHANIEL shall moderatly expend and disburse in and about the sd. WILLIAM's maintenance and educacon as above, And that the sd. MARSON bee reimbursed the same on the makeing upp of his Account with the Testator's Estate
      ===
      1709-1712 Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book, Part 3 [Antient Press]; Page 12
      Westmoreland County Court 22d day of February 1709/10
      - PEIRCE &c v MARSON &c. Exo issued v comus Aug 15th 1710 Judgment is granted WILLIAM PEIRCE, Son of JOHN PEIRCE, Gent., deced., against Mr. THOMAS MARSON for the sum ofthirty six thousand five hundred fifty two pounds of tobacco being ballance ofAccounts between said WILLIAM and said THOMAS, as said WILLIAM being legally Heir to WILLIAM PEIRCE, Gent. deced. or which might be demanded or recovered from said MARSON as Executor to WILLIAM PEIRCE, deced., and it is ordered THOMAS MARSON doe pay the same to WILLIAM PEIRCE together with all and singular what of the Estate of JOHN PEIRCE is come to his hands by vertue of his Executorshipp or by any other meanes whatsoever be that ofwhat nature or kind soever which of right belongs or which as Heir or legally to his Father the said WILLIAM might lawfully demand or recover together with costs als execution, and WILLIAM PEIRCE, DANIELL McCARTY
      ===
      1712-1716 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds-Wills No. 5, [John Frederick Dorman]; Page 184-88. 24 June 1713.
      William Peirce of Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, to Daniel McCarty of same. For £100 sterling. 490 acres, part of a patten granted to William Peirce (the grandfather of and to whom the said William Peirce is heir at law) 3 Oct. 1666 for 2500 acres, the 490 acres being the lower most part of the patten ... land of Lord and Horton, a swamp that divides this land and a parcell of land formerly sold out of the same patten to John Champ by William Peirce the elder, the land of James Smith, alsoe a part of the patten sold by Peirce the elder, and the lowermost or northeast end of the patten next towards the land of Richard Sturman now in the possession of Henry Ashton, Gent. ... beginning at a marked white oake standing in the line of the aforesaid land of Lord and Horton, now Minor's, by the aforesaid branch side which divided this land from the land of John Champ ... down the branch to the mouth thereof where it falleth into the maine swamp, thence with the maine swamp which still divideth this land from the land of John Champ ... at the mouth of a large branch that cometh down from the land of James Smith and divides this land from the remaining part of the land yett unsold and in the possession of William Peirce and known by the name of the great levell ... north side of the branch in the line of James Smith ... the lower most lands of the pattent to the line of the patten next to Sturman, now Ashton's land, to the land to Lord and Horton, now Minor's ... houses, orchards, fences ...
      Will. Peirce
      Wit: Robert Vaulx, Tho. Newton 78.
      24 June 1713. Acknowledged by William Peirce. Sibillah, wife of William, relinquished her right of dower.
      24 June 1713. Bond of William Peirce of Cople Parish, Westmoreland County, unto Daniel McCarty of same. For £200 sterling. To keep the agreements in the deeds.
      Will Peirce
      Wit: Robert Vaulx, Tho. Newton 78.
      24 June 1713. Acknowledged by William Peirce.

      ===
      1714-1716 Westmoreland County, Virginia Order Book, Part 5 [Antient Press]; Page 14
      Westmoreland County Court 29th of September 1714
      - GOWER's Admon granted GOWER
      FRANCES GOWER came into Court and made oath that PEIRCE GOWER, her late Husband, departed this life without makeing any Will soe farr as shee knows or believes and upon her Petition Certificate is granted her for obtaining Letters ofAdministration on the Decedent's Estate in due form; JAMES BOURN and JOHN ERWIN assumeing in Court to be security for her due administratiion according to Law; And it is ordered that WILLIAM SANFORD, WILLIAM PEIRCE, STANLEY GOWER and JAMES BOURN or any three ofthem being first sworn before one ofher Majesty's Justices ofthe Peace for this County doesome time before the next Court value and appraise the Estate and make report thereof to the next Court
      ===
      1712-1716 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds-Wills No. 5, [John Frederick Dorman]; Page513-15. Will of Thomas Thompson of the County of Westmoreland of Cople Parish, Gent., being sick of body, dated 17 Jan. 1715 [1716).
      To my two daughters Alice Thompson and Anna Thompson all the remainder part of my estate to be delivered at the age of 20 or day of marriage.
      My well beloved friend Thos Lee, Esqr., my one rideing horse and my gun Normun.
      To my wel beloved friend Wm. Peirce my young black mare called Flower and my violin and all her strings.
      To my friend Edward Ransdell my brass bound gunn formerly belonged to Capt. Wm. Hardidge.
      To my son in law Patrick Spence my pistolls and holsters and brest plate.
      To my son in law Thomas Spence my silver headed rapier.
      To Elizabeth Colson my old feather bed and bedstead and furniture and stuff to make her a gownd and petticoate and a shift and a pair of shoes.
      To my daughter Anna Thompson my one bed whereon I now lie and bedstead and furniture now belonging to it.
      If my daughter Anna Thompson should marry a shabby runagate fellow she shall receive but halfe her share and the rest be returned to her sister.
      The White Marsh land which I surveyed for Nicho. Minor which by his own offer was to give me halfe, he haveing failed his offer, 'tis my desire that he should pay 500 pounds of tobacco to my executors for survey thereof.
      My daughter Anna should live with Mrs. Sibella Peirce untill she attaines to the age of 20 yeares unless she should marry to Wm. Peirce and his wive's likeing.
      To Mrs. Sibellah Peirce one dressing box.
      MY two good and faithfull friends Thomas Lee, Esqr., and Mr. Wm. Peirce my executors.
      Thomas Thompson
      Wit: Edward Ransdale, James (X) Brown, John Longworth.
      28 March 1716. Presented by Thomas Lee, Esqr., and Wm. Peirce. Proved by Edward Ransdell, James Brown and John Longworth.
      ===
      1726-1729 Westmoreland County, Virginia Deeds & Will Book 8, Part 2 [Antient Press]; Page 70-71
      THIS INDENTURE made the twenty seventh dy of September in the thirteenth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Brittain France and Ireland. King. Defender of the faith Annoqua Dmi. 1726 Between WM: PEIRCE of the Parish of Cople in the County of Westmoreland, Gent., of the one part and LOVELL MASSEY of Washington Parish in County aforesd,, Planter, of the other part. Witnesseth that WM. PEIRCE in consideration of the sum of five shillings Sterl. money to him in hand paid, the receipt whereof he doth hereby acknowledge, hath and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto LOVELL MASSEY all that full quantity of One hundred and thirty acres of land scituate in Parish of Washington in the County of Westmoreland, wch: parcell of land was the proper right and legally vested in a certain JOHN ROSIER. late of the sd, Parish of Washington in the sd. County. deced,, who by his Last Will and Testament dated the twenty eight day of September 1705 gave and devised the same unto NATHLL: POPE, who by certain Deeds of Conveyance sold and conveyed the same unto WM. GRAHAM from whom it legally descended to his Son, WM: GRAHAM. and from the sd. WM: GRAHAM. the Younger, unto sd. WM: PEIRCE as Cousin and heir at Law to him the sd. WM, the parcel of land contianing the quantity of One hundred and thirty acres being bounded. Beginning at the head of the Ponds and runing to a line of ROBERT REDMANs Land. together with all profits comoditys and appurtenances to the premisses belonging; To have and to hold the one thundred and thirty acres of land and other the premisses with appurtenances unto LOVELL MASSEY his assigns during the term of one whole year next ensueing paying therefore unto WM. PEIRCE his heirs the Rent of one Pepper Corn at the Feast of the Nativity of our Lord Christ if lawfully demanded, to the intent that by virtue of these presents and of the Statute for transfering uses into possession the sd. LOVELL MASSEY may be in the actual possession of the premisses and thereby the better enabled without other ceremoney to take a release of the reversion in fee & inheritance thereof, In Witness whereof the parties first above named to these present Indentures have interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seales the day and year first above written
      Sealed and Delivd, in presence of
      JOHN MORTON, WM: PEIRCE
      JOHN WHITE
      Westmoreland 33. At a Court held for the 3d. county the 28th day of September 1726 WILLIAM PEIRCE personally acknowledged this Lease of Land by him passed to LOVELL MASSEY to be his proper act and deed which at the instance of the said MASSEY is admitted to Record Test THO: SORRELL, Cl
      Recorded the 13th day of January 1726 p me. G. TURBERVILE, Cl Co. W.
      THIS INDENTURE made the twenty eight day of September in the thirteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Britain, France and Ireland. Eing. Defender of the faith &c., Annoque Dora: 1726; Between WM: PEIRCE of the Parish of Cople in County of Westmoreland, Gent., of one part and LOVELL MASSEY of the Parish of Washington in County aforesd. of other part: Witnesseth that WM: PEIRCE in consideracon of the sum of Six thousand pounds of tobacco to him in hand paid by LOVELL MASSEY, the receipt whereof WM: PEIRCE doth hereby acknowledge, hath and by these presents doth bargain and sell unto LOVELL MASSEY (in his actual possession now being by virtue of a bargain and sale to him made of One hundred and thirty acres of land with the appurtenances for one year and by virtue of the Statute for transferring uses into possession) his heirs all that quantity of one hundred and thirty acres of land scituate in Parish of Washington in the County of Westmoreland the various passing of the land by Deeds and Wills and the bounds are repeated as in the foregoing Lease); To have and to hold the one hundred and thirty acres of land with all the pre- misses with appurtenances unto LOVELL MASSEY his heirs and WM: PEIRCE against every persoin claiming under him shall warrant and for ever defend by these presents free and clear from all incumbrances (the usual quit Rents and one Lease for the term of Six years to one GEORGE WILLIAMS, now resident on the same, only excepted); In Witness whereof the parties first above named to these present Indentures have interchangeably set their hands and affixed their seales the day and year first above written Sealed & Delivered in the presence of
      JOHN MORTON WM. PEIRCE
      JOHN WHITE
      Westmoreland ss. At a Court held for the sd. County the 28th day of September 1726 WILLIAM PEIRCE personally acknoweldged this Release of Land by him passed to LOVELL MASSEY to be his proper act and deed and SIBILLA, Wife of the sd. WILLIAM PEIRCE. personally relinquished her right of Dower and Thirds in and to the lands by the sd. Deed menconed to be conveyed, all which at the sd. MASSEYs instance is admitted to Record Test THO SORRELL, Cl
      Recorded the 13th day of January 1726 p me G, TURBERVILE, Cl Co W.
      KNOW ALL MEN by these presents that I WM: PEIRCE of Cople Parish in County of Westmoreland am held and firmly bound unto LOVELL MASSEY of Washington Parish in the County aforesd, in the sum of Twelve thousand pounds of good tobacco to the true & just paymt, whereof I bind my self my heirs firmly by these presents; Sealed with my nate dated this 2Sth day of September in the thirteenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George by the grace of God of Great Brittain France and Ireland, Defender of the faith &c.. Annoque Dom: 1726
      THE CONDICON of the above obligacon is such that if the above bound WM: PEIRCE his heires shall observe and keep all covenants and agreements on the part of WM: PEIRCE his heirs ought to be observed and kept mentioned in certain Deeds of Lease and Release according to the intent of the Indentures, Also if SIBILLA the Wife of WM: PEIRCE shall when thereunto required by LOVELL MASSEY in due form relinquish her right of Dower and Thirds in and to the lands conveyed by WM: PEIRCE her Husband unto LOVELL MASSEY, Then this obligacon to be voyd and of none effect, otherwise to he and remain in full force power and virtue
      Sealed & Delivd. in presence of
      JOHN MORTON, WM: PEIRCE
      JOHN WHITE
      Westmoreland ss. At a Court held for the sd. County the 2Sth day of September 1726 WILLIAM PEIRCE personally acknowledged this Bond by him passed to LOVELL MASSEY to be his proper act and deed, which at the sd. IvIASSEYs instance is admitted to Record
      Test THO: SORRELL, CI
      Recorded the 13th day of January 1726 p me G. TURBERVILE, Cl Co, W.

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