SURNAME SATURDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, 4th Gr-Grandparents Kids during the Revolution, Part 4

While John Spitler, Sr. and Mary Eccord’s childhood days passed, America’s history happened around them. 4^th Great Grandfather was a 1-year old babe when the American Revolution began. When the Declaration of Independence was signed, John Spitler, Sr. was just 2 years old and 4^th Great Grandmother Mary Eccord had just been born. Were their parents Patriots or Loyalists?

Delegates from the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia to create the American Constitution when 4^th Great Grandfather was 13 years old. Two years later fellow Virginian George Washington would become the 1^st President of the United States.

John was born about 1774 in the British American Colonies. It’s up for debate whether he was born in Virginia or Pennsylvania. It’s been suggested by several he was born in Pennsylvania but I haven’t yet seen any documentation to prove this. The 1850 federal census states he was born in Virginia. Alas, census records have a reputation for inaccuracies. 

4^th Great Grandmother Mary (also known as Polly) Eccord was born a few years later about 1776 in the Colonies. I have the same dilemma with Mary’s birthplace as Grandfather.

Unlike John I know Mary’s father. When John Spitler and Polly Eccord married in Augusta County, Virginia Feb. 22, 1797, it was noted in court records. Lyman Chalkley’s “Chronicles of the Scotch-Irish Settlement in Virginia Extracted from the Original Court Records of Augusta County 1745-1800”, page 329 documents Frantz Echard to be Polly’s father:

      “1797—February 22, John Spitler and Francis Eccord, surety. John Spitler and Polly Eccord, daughter of Frantz Echard”

Was Francis Eccord (the surety) the Americanized name for Frantz Echard? I can’t say. Page 404 of Mr. Chalkley’s Chronicles provides hints about the family’s nationality:

August 1795

     “Francis and Christian Eccord vs. William Chambers and Anthony Mustoe, Writ, Spa. April, 1789. 1785 to 178- plaintiffs had dealings with defendants as deputy sheriff. Francis was a German and unacquainted with English language. The bill charges serious impositions on Frances by defendants and prays settlement of accounts, etc. Christian was son of Francis.”

The court suit reveals the Eccord family was of German descent. It could be that Francis and Christian Eccord were Polly’s father and brother but more research needs to be done to say this decisively.

John Spitler bought land in Augusta County before his marriage in September 1795 from John and Elizabeth McPheeters.[1] I don’t have copies of Grandfather’s deeds but learned from the Grantee and Grantor Deed Indexes that he acquired and sold lands until 1833.

Existing federal census enumerations 1810[2], 1820[3], 1830[4], 1840[5] and 1850[6] confirm John and Mary resided in the county during those years.

4^th Great Grandfather’s will was written April 14, 1852[7]. He died weeks later on May12, 1852[8]. Harrison H. Teaford and William S. McChesney witnessed Grandfather’s will and brought it to Augusta County Court June 28^th. John’s friend, Jacob Baylor, was named Executor.

As you read the will transcript below, you’ll realize Grandfather planned for Grandmother’s well-being. She would have been close to 76 years old when John died. Mary (Eccord) Spitler passed March 10, 1853[9] and is buried beside John in the Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church Cemetery, Middlebrook, Virginia[10].

The names of his children and the order of their birth were stated. Elizabeth was born first followed by my ancestor Jacob; then Margaret (Peggy), John, Mary (Polly) and Sarah. John showed no favoritism among his children. He valued all and wanted them to share equally.

Will Transcript:

   In the Name of God, Amen, I John Spitler Sen’r do make and publish my last Will and Testament, hereby revoking and making void all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and first I direct that all my just debts and funeral expenses be paid as soon after my decease as possible, out of the first moneys that shall come into the hands of my executor, from any portion of my estate real or personal.

   2^nd I also direct that my wife Mary shall have the proceeds of my real estate and the use of my personal property during her natural life, if she should survive me, and if not I direct that my Executor herein after named shall in a reasonable time after my decease, proceed to sell my real estate as well as my personal property, the personal property to be sold on such terms as my Executor may think best, and my landed property in the following manner, that is to say Six hundred dollars to be paid in hand and the balanse in five equal annal instalments  and if my wife should survive me then and in that event, at her death, the Sale of the above property shall take place in the same manner and terms   set fourth above

   3^rd I direct that of the first payment of land, there shall be paid to my daughter Peggy Four hundred dollars, which will make her equal to what I have paid to my son John, and Elizabeth Yeago & my daughter Polly Earhart and I further direct that One hundred dollars be paid to my son Jacob to make him equal as I have already paid him three hundred dollars. I also further direct that One hundred dollars be paid to my daughter Sarah Mizer, as I have paid to her Three hundred dollars, which will make all my children equal. I further direct after the foregoing part of my Will has been completed with that the balance of the proceeds of my estate be equally divided between my five living children and the children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth Yago. That is to say the children of said Mrs. Yago are all put together to have but one distributive share, namely – One sixth part of the whole estate, and it is further my desire that after all have been made equal as above directed, that my Executor pay to my oldest children, first their share, that is to say One sixth part to the children of my dec’d daughter Elizabeth Yago first, next One sixth part to my son Jacob, next One sixth part to my daughter Polly Earhart, next One sixth part to my sone John, next One sixth part to my Daughter Peggy, and next one sixth part to my Daughter Sarah Mizer.

   And lastly I do hereby constitute and appoint my friend Jacob Baylor, to be my sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament.  In witness whereof I John Spitler the Testator have set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of April Eighteen Hundred and Fifty two.

                                                                                           John Spitler

Signed Sealed and delivered

In the presents of us, who have sub-

scribed in the presents of each

of each other

  Harrison H. Teaford

  Wm. S. McChesney

     Augusta County Court June 28^th 1852

         This last Will and Testament of John Spitler dec’d was presented in Court and proved by the oaths of Harrison H. Teaford and William S. McChesney, the subscribing witness thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Jacob Baylor the Executor named in said Will who made oath according to law, and with David Baylor his security (who justified as to his sufficiency) entered into a bond in the sum of Five thousand dollars, payable and conditioned as the Law directs, which bond was acknowledged in Court by the obligors thereto and ordered to be recorded, Certificate is granted the said Jacob Baylor, for obtaining a probat of said Will in due form,

                                                                                           Teste

                                                                                            Jefferson Kinney, clk.

 

Will Book 32, page 109 (bottom of page)

Will Book 32, page 110

Will Book 32, page 111 (top of page)

You might also enjoy:     (just click on title)

     TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, Part 1

     SURNAME SATURDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, Part 2 

     MILITARY MONDAY Spitler Family Saga, Augusta Co., VA, Part 3, The War Years 

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[1] Augusta County, VA Deed Book 28, page 390

[2] 1810 Federal Census Transcription compiled by Mrs. Owen Crickhard, Beverly, West VA, 1968, online at Ancestry.com

[3] 1820 Federal Census, Augusta Co., VA, Waynesboro, page 20, online at Ancestry.com

[4] 1830 Federal Census, Augusta Co., VA, page 102, ‘John Spidler’ household

[5] 1840 Federal Census, Augusta Co., VA, page 39

[6] 1850 Federal Census, Augusta Co, VA, page 274B

[7] Augusta County, VA Will Book 32, pages 109-111

[8] FindAGrave.com Memorial# 90978658.

[9] Death Register, Augusta Co., VA, 1853-1896, Line 223

[10] FindAGrave.com Memorial# 90978715.

TALENTED TUESDAY Wm. T. Mackney’s Love Letter to Sarah Kimber

“My dear sweet wife

I do wish you was here to night

How I would kiss your lips”

William T. Mackney’s talent with ‘sweet talk’ came from the heart. His wife, Sarah Bethia (Kimber) Mackney must have treasured his words and tucked his letter away in a special place.

Sarah was my 3^rd Great Aunt and the sister of my 3^rd Great Grandmother Charity (Kimber) Clark. The sisters were daughters of Benjamin Kimber and Keziah Bennett.

When Sarah received William’s letter, perhaps she read it at her home in the Town of Minisink, Orange Co., New York. Sarah was still young about 27 years old. William was a few years older. He shared his worries, news and hopes.

William worked in the carpentry trade and was employed away from home. He hoped to see Sarah at the end of the month.

Letter 2.

Tuesday Night  August the 3, 1852

     My dear wife I feel much pleased to nite to

git a letter from you for i was affraid that

you was sick that you could not write but it was

on the account of my letter sow now i am happy

to night to receive a letter from home i love

most dear and o Sarah i would like to see you

i am glad to here that you are sow smart as you

are and Sarah i am a going to tell you the truth

  to day noon when i went to set down to dinner

i felt sow sick to my stumack and sow weak my

head felt sow strange sow I did not work this

afternoon     i went to the doctor and he said i

had took cold   sow i feel a little better to

night     sow i will gow to work in the morning

again and i hope these few lines will find you

quite smart but i am affraid if you keep on

sowing sow much that you will hirt yourself

you must bee carefull of your self   they are a

going to bild a bridge across the Dellaware at

Port Jarvis this fall and winter   Henry has

gone down to Unionville sow the boys told me

Sarrah  you wanted to now when i thought i could

be home   Sarrah if they gow to work at the

bridge frame down to Port i dont want to come

home more than once and if i help bild it   there

i wilt begin it in September sometime   i think

i may bee home the last day of this month   i

cant tell  maby not till after the next pay day

but if you want any thing let me now   my

darling   my dear sweet wife i dew wish you was

here to night   how i would kiss your lips  no

better  nothing more at present yours untill

death

Wm. T.M. his love to his dear beeloved wife

[William T. Mackney to Sarah B. Mackney]

NOTE: Edna Raymond, a past Town of Minisink historian, gave me typed transcripts of the letters exchanged between the Kimber sisters and their parents. This letter is 2 of 31.

Let me tell you what I can recall about the provenance of the Kimber letters. It was many years ago when I visited Edna and learned of the letters. Edna has since passed away. I believe Edna told me a couple from Illinois visited the Minisink Town Hall and brought the original Kimber letters. The Kimber descendant allowed Edna to photocopy the letters in his/her presence. Edna worked quickly. In those days copy machines were slow and the quality left much to be desired. Edna spent many hours studying and transcribing the letters as the ‘old time’ handwriting was especially difficult to read.

I can’t say how the Illinois couple came by the letters. The Mackney’s and Congleton’s moved to Illinois so it’s possible the Illinois couple were from either branch of the family tree. Winfred Drake Riddall added comments to the letters. She was a Moses Seely and Jane Kimber descendant from Buffalo, New York.

TREASURE CHEST THURSDAY TRUE BLUE GRANDPA Adam Snyder’s Final Wishes, Augusta Co., VA

I recently acquired a copy of 3^rd Great Grandfather Adam Snyder’s estate papers and will tell you about them today. His hopes and wishes for the family after his death were revealed in the will.

Adam prepared his will March 31, 1877 almost two years before his death on March 15, 1879. [1] You might find it helpful to review my earlier post titled ‘TUESDAY’S TRUE BLUE GRANDPA Adam Snyder, Augusta Co., VA, Exemplary and Peaceful Citizen’. Click here to view.

His first bequest provided for his two granddaughters, Alice J. E. Kiracofe and Mary J. Kiracofe. Alice and Mary Josephine Kiracofe were the children of his deceased daughter Catherine Virginia (Snyder) Kiracofe and the Rev. John Wesley Kiracofe. The girls were to receive a $500 bond dating back to a land deal between their father and grandfather. Grandfather Adam Snyder wanted them to inherit $700 from his estate too. As you read through the will transcript below, you’ll notice Grandfather’s language included detailed stipulations. I’m certain this was his way of keeping the estate in the hands of his blood line.

The next order of business was 3^rd Great Grandmother Hannah (Hull) Snyder. Grandfather left all his property to her. No doubt Grandfather wanted to provide for her needs. The Kiracofe grandchildren wouldn’t receive their $700 inheritance until after their grandmother died. The same was true of Adam and Hannah’s daughters. Grandmother lived to be 75 years old passing Jan. 2, 1892.

Adam’s daughter, Elizabeth E. Snyder, was not yet married when he wrote his will. If Elizabeth died without heirs, 3^rd Great Grandfather wanted her share of his estate given to his other daughter, my 2^nd Great Grandmother Sarah Jane (Snyder) Clemmer. It turns out this was unnecessary as Elizabeth E. Snyder married James F. Clemmer April 22, 1877 several weeks after Adam prepared his will.

Great Grandfather’s last wish was that his two living daughters share his legacies equally.

My 2^nd Great Grandfather Joseph H. Clemmer (husband of Sarah Jane Snyder) was appointed executor to settle Grandfather Adam’s estate. To serve as Adam Snyder’s executor it was necessary for Joseph to post a bond. Joseph’s father, William K. Clemmer, and uncle, Ananias J. Miller, were his bondsmen and pledged their financial support in an $11,000 bond.

About five weeks after his death, Jacob Baylor, John M. Baylor and Jacob F. Clemmer inventoried Grandfather’s personal estate. [2] That property was sold at a public sale August 15, 1879 for $331.80. [3]

Transcription of Adam Snyder’s Will:

   In the Name of God Amen, I Adam Snyder of the County of Augusta and State of Virginia do make, Constitute and appoint this my last will and testament, in terms and articles as follows viz:

   1^st I give and bequeath to my two Grand-daughters Alice J. E. Kiracofe and Mary J. Kiracofe, a bond on J. W. Kiracofe their father for five hundred Dollars payable the 10^th day of April 1876, it being a bond for the deferred payment on a tract of land purchased of me by him, and conveyed to him by deed on record in the Clerks Office of Augusta County, and in which Conveyance, the vendor’s lien is retained to secure the payment of said bond and in addition to this I give to my two grand-daughters above mentioned the sum of Seven hundred dollars in money to be paid out of my Estate one half of said Seven hundred dollars, to be paid to them at the Expiration of three years after the death of myself and my wife, and the other half to be paid to them at the Expiration of five years, after the death of myself and my wife. In case of the death of Either of these grand children then these bequests to be made entire to the surviving one and in case of both of them dying without any heirs of their bodies then these bequests to revert to my two children Sarah J. Clemmer, wife of Jos. H. Clemmer and Elizabeth E. my other daughter still unmarried.

   2^nd I give and bequeath to my wife all of my property of whatever kind except the bond of J. W. Kiracofe for five hundred dollars herein mentioned and fully described, for her use and benefit during her life, and after her death I desire all of my property of whatever kind to be divided Equally between my two children Sarah J. Clemmer wife of Jos. H. Clemmer and Elizabeth E. my single daughter, subject to the payment of the Special bequest of seven hundred dollars to my two grand-daughters before mentioned herein, and in the times and manner herein enumerated.

   3. In case of the death of my single daughter Elizabeth E. Snyder without any heirs of her body, then I desire her proper share of my Estate of whatever kind to revert to my daughter Sarah J. Clemmer wife of Jos. H. Clemmer.

   4. I herein make, constitute and appoint Joseph H. Clemmer my son-in-law the Executor of this my last will and testament, with the privilege of choosing an assistant if he think proper.

   5. In the division of my estate between my two children after paying the Special legacies herein mentioned, I wish the division to be made entered equal, either by dividing the land and personalty in Kind, or selling the same, and dividing the proceeds equally, after paying all my just debts.

   In Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this Thirty first day of March in the year one thousand Eight hundred and seventy seven.

                                                                    

                                                                         Adam Snider

Interlining done before signing

Signed, Sealed, published and

declared – in the presence of these

witnesses, who signed in the presence

and at his request.

   Witnesses  John M. Baylor

                      Jacob Baylor

                      M. W. D. Hogshead

In Augusta County Court April 28^th 1879

    This Last Will and Testament of Adam Snider decd, was presented in court and proved by the oaths of John M. Baylor and M. W. D. Hogshead two of the subscribing witnesses thereto and ordered to be recorded. And on the motion of Joseph H. Clemmer the Executor therein named who made oath thereto according to law, and together with William K. Clemmer and Ananias J. Miller his securities (who Justifed as to their sufficiency and moreover the obligors waiving all benefit of their homestead exemption) entered into a bond in the sum of Eleven Thousand Dollars, payable and with condition as prescribed by law, which bond was acknowledged in open court by  the obligers thereto and ordered to be recorded, Certificate is granted the said Joseph H. Clemmer for obtaining a probate of said will in due form. The estimated value of decedents estate passing under said will being $5600.00 it is ordered that said Executor pay the state tax of $5.60 herein.

                                                        Teste

                                                                     William A. Burnett Clk

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[1] Augusta County, Virginia Will Book 47, pages 606-607

[2] Ibid, Will Book 48, pages 105-106

[3] Ibid, Will Book 48, pages 107-108