Part I
THE POET writes of the happy return of Charles the Second. Hammers resound
with the restoration of churches throughout the width and breadth of the
land.
This England, tired of long years of curfewed nights, tired of wineless
dinners,
tired of puritanical living, welcomed back the gay and gallant Charles the
Second
and went about with alacrity to wipe from their lives all trace of Cromwell.
England's colonies changed governors and the great upper middle class gave
more thought to these colonies, a rich source of revenue and expanseless
territory for the settlement of young colonists. Yea! More and more thought
was
given to America. This was England; and her ships plying the seven
seas over which she was undisputed mistress.
We use the name ENDFIELD for the ancient Waller Estate on the Mattapony
River, King William County because that is the designation Given to the
plantation in a deed June 6, 1814, from William Waller, executor of John
Waller. deceased, conveying the land to Carter B. Berkeley. This
designation of the estate by name, in the deed of June 6, 1814, is the
earliest reference so far found in remaining official records. In the Waller
family papers there is also a paper marked Plot of Endfield, King William
Co." There is no date on this "Plot" but it is evidently of about the same
date with the deed of Waller to Berkeley; maybe a trifle earlier. There are
no
names of persons on this 'plot." In all heretofore published notes on the
Waller family the name of this estate appears as Enfield which is an
erroneous designation For the title to Endfield as it stood in June 1814 see
conclusion of Part II of this study, October 1951 number of this Magazine.
This study of the Waller family will be presented in two sections. Part I
includes what is known of the Buckinghamshire, England, background of
Colonel John Waller (1673-1754) who emigrated to Virginia prior to 1696,
his "Endfield" plantation in King William County, his removal to "Newport"
plantation in Spotsylvania County; his record both in the civil and military
establishments of the colony; and notes concerning his children.
Part 2, which will appear in October, 1951 number of the Magazine, will
present a series of original letters that passed between Colonel John
Waller and his sons, William Waller, John Waller and Benjamin Waller, and
letters that passed between these brothers. This account of the family is
based on a collection of family papers now designated “Waller Family
Papers" that are in the possession of L Harvey Poe, Jr. Richmond, Virginia,
who has kindly consented to their use in the preparation of this study.
These papers consisting of the letters referred to above; original deeds,
land patents, plats of land and copies of court papers, were accumulated
as the result of a suit that arose nearly two centuries ago between Benjamin
Waller and his
brother John Waller over their respective interests in the "Endfield"
plantation lands. These papers remained unnoticed in the possession of
the Cook family until nearly half a century ago they were discovered and
given to Mrs. Alice Reddy, a granddaughter of Mrs. Dorothy (Waller)
Quarles (circa 1732-1792 wife of Solomon Quarles (1725-1774) and
daughter of Thomas Waller (1705-circa 1765) of King William County, who
was a brother of Benjamin Waller and John Waller, the contestants in the
suit. At Mrs. Reddy's death this collection of papers passed to her
daughter, Miss Anne Waller Reddy, of Richmond, who has recently given
them to her nephew, L. Harvey Poe, Jr. It is through Miss Reddy's interest
in Waller family history that we have been enabled to gather these "Waller
Family Papers" into this study, while to her generosity we owe the
provision made for the accompanying illustrations.
Lying in the south-centre of this land is Buckinghamshire; adjoining London and bounded on the south by the river Thames. Drained by the Ouse, near the centre of this shire, referred to as Bucks, lay the Hundred of Newport. Pagnell is nearly in the centre of the Hundred and thus in the heart of England. The great road to Liverpool passes through Pagnell and is in some parts dead flat with hedgerows on either side; though occasional glimpses of the surrounding country-side may be had and a church spire appears between great branches of English oak. The Church of Walton parish, dedicated to St. Michael, was already an old edifice, irregular and consisting of a square tower, a nave and chancel when our story begins. The low ground on which the church stands in this flat country-side causes it to be excessively damp, giving it a sombre air. (1)
So we find Walton, Bucks, England, in 1669. On a winter day of that year--January 13 to be exact--came John Waller and Mistress Mary Pomfrett to Walton, to be married. (2)
Of Mary Pomfrett little is known. We learn that William Pomfrett A.B. was vicar of Astwood, May 27, 1689 through December 21, 1704 and that Mr. Benjamin Pomfrett, of Newport Pagnell, purchased of Sir William Tyreyham, Knt., the right of advowson; while later, Robert Pomfrett was rector of Emberton from April 30, 1753 until 1804. (3)
Apparently John Waller and his wife resided in Newport Pagnell for in the register of that parish we find the births of their numerous children recorded. (4)
Doctor John and Mary (Pomfrett) Waller had issue:
1. William Waller, born September 24, 1671 (5)
2. John Waller, born February 73, 1673; emigrated to Virginia; of whom hereafter.
3. Mary Waller born May 23 1674. (6)
4. Thomas Waller, born October 17, 1675.
5. Steven Waller, born November '4, 1676 (6)
6 Benjamin Waller, born March 18, 1678 died 1735; his will is recorded Arch deaconry of Bucks, Register 1734, No. 67.
7. Edmund Waller, born February 3, 1680 (7)
8. James Waller, born May 25, 1683; died January 1683/4 (8)
9. Jemima Waller, born August 3, 1684; she was still unmarried at probate of her father's will in November, 1723.
It is to regretted that thus far researches made in England have failed to disclose any record of the date and place of birth of Doctor John Waller, of Newport Pagnell; neither have researches to this present time identified the parentage of his wife, Mary Pomfrett. Doctor John Waller was born probably about 1645 and from his will (dated August 21, 1716) We learn that he had a brother Thomas Waller living in Virginia. (9)
Doctor John Waller also had a sister, Alice Waller, who predeceased him as in his will in a bequest to his daughter Jemima Waller, he refers to "all the goods and furniture that were her Aunt Alice Waller's, which she gave her [the said Jemima] at the time of her decease . . ." This lady referred to as his daughter Jemima's "aunt Alice Waller" was no doubt a sister of Doctor John Waller and was the Alice Waller whose death is recorded in the Newport Pagnell parish register under date of September 27, 1699 (see note . (8)
In his will Doctor John Waller made a bequest of 20 pounds "to my cozen Mary Pomfrett who lived with my wife . . ." In this Mary Pomfrett we certainly have a relation in some degree of Mrs. Mary (Pomfrett) Waller, the testator's wife who apparently had died prior to the making of his will on August 21, 1716
We will not attempt here to solve the problem of the ancestry of Doctor John Waller (circa 1645-1723); however, it seems certain that he was descended from the Wallers of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire. (10)
The following items are here presented as records that refer to Doctor John Waller (circa 1645-1723) of Newport Pagnell.
In Venn and Venn (editors), Alumni Cantabrigienses . . . Part 1--1751, Volume IV [Cambridge: University Press, 1927], page 321, column 1, we find this record: Waller, John Admitted] sizer at St. Catharine's [Cambridge] June 10, 1664. Son of John, a clothier of Braintree, Essex. M. B. [Medicinae Baccalaureus] 1667. Buried at Newport Pagnell, Bucks., Aug. 6, 1723 Will (P.C.C., 1723). Father of Edmund (1698 [Cambridge]) and possibly of William (1697 [Cambridge] (10a) (J. R. Glencross) [authority for this identification]."
In Barber Surgeons Mss. in the Guildhall Library, London, Register of Apprentices 1657-1672, Ms. 5266/l, page 4, we find this entry June 23, 1658: John Waler son of John Waler of Baintry [Braintree?] Essex, places himself apprentice to Thomas Woodly barber surgeon for 7 years from this day.
While from Register of Freemen 1665-1704, Ms. 5265/2, page Id. 1665 (same repository as above) we have this item: John Waller apprentice of Thomas Woodley, barber surgeon, admitted for service on the 6th of February 1665/6 and sworn.
We give the items above just as they appear in Alumni Cantabrigienses and in the Register of Apprentices and Register of Freemen of the Barber Surgeons Guild. (11)
>From his will (dated August 21 1716 proved November 6, 1723) we learn with certainty that John Waller, of Newport Pagnell, county Bucks, was a man of substantial means; his bequests of land and devises of sums of money and of personality constitute considerable items. That he followed the profession of medicine seems evident from his designation as "Doctor John Waller" in the records of the births of his children in the register of Newport Pagnell.
Abstract of the will of Doctor John Waller, recorded Prerogative Court of Canterbury; Richmond, 248.
John Waller of Newport Pagnell County Bucks gent. will dated 21 August 1716. To be laid in that vault or monument which I caused to be built on the south side of the church of Newport Pagnell at the bottom of the grille near the river wall and fenced it about with iron rails and a gate and built first for my dear son James and remains for a burying place for myself and those of my family of Wallers forever.-- To my son Benjamin Waller in fee my message in Sherrington, Bucks with land which I lately purchased of Samuel Cunningham and also all other lands in Sherrington aforesaid, said son Benjamin to pay to my sons William Waller, Thomas Waller, John Waller and Edmund Waller and to my daughter Jemima Waller 50 pounds apiece; to my said 4 sons William Waller, Thomas Waller, John Waller and Edmund Waller and daughter Jemima the said 50 pounds said son Benjamin Waller in fee, messuage in Newport Pagnell aforesaid in which he now dwells, also close of pasture in the Marsh End, Newport Pagnell, called the Red House Close which I sometime since purchased of Ralph Hooton.-To said son Benjamin 50 pounds more.-To my three grandchildren John, William and Graciana Waller the sons and daughter of my son William Waller 5 pounds apiece for mourning also 5 pounds apiece more. To my son John Waller who liveth in Virginia over and above what I have already given and lent him, 20 pounds and to his eldest daughter Mary 10 pounds and to the rest of his children 5 pounds apiece.To my son Thomas Waller and his wife 20 guineas apiece for mourning; to my son Edmund Waller, M D. and Fellow of St. Johns College, Cambridge, 50 pounds for a ring and mourning.To my daughter Jemima Waller 500 pounds more.-To my brother Thomas Waller who liveth in Virginia 20 pounds.--To my cousin Mary Pomfrett who lived with my wife 20 pounds which is in the hands of Mr. Kilpin of Astwood.To said daughter Jemima Waller mohair bed etc., etc., which I bought of Mr. John Chivall of Great Woolston and goods in chamber over the Hall called the best room and the little room next at the stairs head, also pictures (most of which are her own making) and all goods and furniture which were her aunt Alice Waller's which she gave her at the time of her death and also all of my English books. Rest of goods to said son Benjamin Waller and daughter Jemima Waller and they to be executors. Said son Edmund Waller and Mr. John Mathew, the elder, to be overseers. Witnesses: John Mathew Senior, Henry Wagstaffe, Francis Wagstaffe Probated 6 November 1723 by Benjamin Waller and Jemima Waller the executors. (12)
[We are publishing the abstract of Doctor John Waller's will made by the late Reginald M. Glencross thirty years ago when research was being made in England in an attempt to trace authoritatively the ancestry of Colonel John Waller (1673-1754) of King William and Spotsylvania Counties, Virginia, first of his line in Virginia. This is the first time that this abstract has been published. In Part II of this article (to be published in the October number of the Magazine the will in its entirety will be published from a photostat copy obtained from the records off the Prerogative Court of Canterbury and transcribed by Doctor John G. Hemdon, of Haverford, Pennsylvania]
It was from the pleasant Hundred of Newport that John Waller (son of Doctor John and Mary [Pomfrett] Waller) departed for Virginia during the last years of the 17th century. No doubt the journey was adventurous for ocean travel was hard in that day and life in the strange, wild, empty place called Virginia was a far cry from that of England. The date at which John Waller left England for Virginia and the name of the ship on which he took passage are both now unknown; nor has the exact date of his arrival in Virginia been as yet discovered. We do know, however, that he had arrived in the colony before May 1 1696.(12a)
for in that month is dated a plat of the land that became the site of his home "Endfield" land at that date in King and Queen County, in the part thereof which in 1701 became King William County. This plat to which we refer bears the inscription "Mr. John Waller his plot for 1039 Acres of Land bought of Elias Downes in Pamunkey Neck, 100 acres thereof belonging to Thomas Baker" and the description of the survey -- giving metes and bounds of the land is dated and signed ". . . May ye' 28th, 1696. Measured James Taylor." This plat and description are reproduced as one of the illustrations to this article.
This land on which John Waller made his home, called "Endfield" was patented some thirty years before Waller purchased it, by John Talbott and Elias Downes as is attested by a document among the collection of Waller family papers that contains the numerous original items used in this article. The land patent books of the colony (now in the Department of Archives, Virginia State Library, Richmond) do not give the patent for this land; a fact that makes the attested copy among the Waller family papers all the more valuable. The attested copy of this patent reads:
"To all &c Whereas &c Now know ye that I the said Sr William Berkeley Knt Governor &c do with the Consent of the Council of State give and grant unto John Talbott and Elias Downes sixteen hundred Acres of Land Iying and being in the County of New Kent on the South side of Mattapony River Beginning at a White Oak a little below sunken Ground thence into the Woods S.W. ½ Westerly to a red Oak 480 poles, Thence N.W. and by W. 160 Poles to a Hiccory thence N.W. and by N. 320 Poles to a red Oak Corner Tree in the Forkes of Fawneses Branch which Corner Tree divides the Land of Edward Holmes and this Divident, thence down Fawnes Branch N.N.E. 200 Poles to a Poplar Thence East and by North 180 Poles to a red Oak thence N.E. &c by E. 40 Poles thence N.E. 20 poles to a Red Oak thence N 1/2 Easterly 46 Poles to a White Oak thence N.E. by N. 40 Poles to a Pine by the River's Side on the lower Side of Fawne's Branch the run of the said Branch dividing this Divident from the said Holmes thence S.E. ½ Easterly down the River, 168 Poles thence E 1/2 Northerly 178 Poles to the Mouth of a small Swamp that comes out the the Sunken Ground thence South E & by E 205 Poles to the white Oak the first Station where it began being bounded with marked Trees all round The said Land being due unto them by and for the Transportation of two and thirty Persons into this Colony &c To have and to hold &c To be held &c yielding & paying &c Provided &c Dated the Eighteenth Day of December in the year Lord 1667 Copy Test Ben:Waller Matt Kemp C.S.O." This document is inscribed on the back "Copy of Talbott & Downes their Patent for 1600 acres. (13)
On June 12 1696, there was recorded in King & Queen County a deed by which Elias Downes conveyed to John Waller, 1,039 acres out of the acreage of the above recited patent; the land purchased by Waller lying along the south side of Mattapony River and extending inland some distance. It was the land purchased by John Waller from Elias Downes that the survey and plat (heretofore referred to) were made by James Taylor (surveyor) for the said Waller, May 28, 1696. The date of Downes' deed to John Waller (which is now missing) was certainly between the date of the plat May 28, 1696, and the date of recording of the deed, June 12, 1696. (14)
We would note here that the plat itself, bearing date May 28, 1696, is most interesting in the light of a suit that came some sixty five years later in the record of which John Waller (the son of John Waller, the purchaser of this land) stated that his father had promised him 500 acres of this King William County estate at the time of his marriage. The original plat shows a line of division, evidently drawn in much later than the original draft; and in the handwriting of John Waller, the original owner, appear the names of the heirs to whom the estate would descend. The main body of the tract is marked Jn Wallers"; the remainder of the river end is marked "Tho: Wallers"; while the Huckleberry ponds and up ground is marked "Mary Wallers." It was Thomas Waller's and Mary Waller's portions of this land that John Waller (their father, the original owner) sold to Benjamin Waller. A reference in the surveyor's notes (accompanying the plat) to "C. A small Spanish oak on a ridge on ye south side of ye road now Mrs. Mars" and a reference in the surveyor's description of metes and bounds of the land to "a small Spanish oake on a ridge in sight of Mrs. Mars," are interesting in view of the fact that John Waller (the original owner of the tract platted) "for love and affection" deeded to one Richard Marr 200 acres of land on May 20, 1704. (15)
The portion of the tract marked on the plat "Jn. Wallers" was the part of the plantation on which the dwelling house and its dependent buildings were situated; (16)
while dispute over that portion marked as "the sunken grounds" (indicated by dots on the plat) resulted in the suit by means of which the collection of Waller papers used in this article have been preserved.
On this land that he purchased from Elias Downes, in May or early June, 1696, John Waller (1673-1654) established his home in Virginia. The low rambling house-typical of late seventeenth century dwelling houses in the colony was probably built by John Waller between 1696 and 1706, its charming appearance luckily preserved for all to see. Of solid frame construction, white in color it’s wide facade and numerous ells seem to grow from the ground as do the ancient English oak and mulberry trees under which it seems to have fallen asleep while its six chimneys stand as sentinels. The mulberry is reminiscent of the dream of a great colonial silk industry in whose prospective bonanza of wealth John Waller no doubt hoped to share. The woods grow deep in Tidewater Virginia and the Summer sun beats down on the fields; and in Pamunkey Neck the green, alluring swamp lands come nearly to the doors. "Endfield," which was the name given to this Waller plantation, was no exception; and here in this home the children of John Waller and Dorothy, his wife, were born. John Waller married, about 1697 or 8, Dorothy King, the names of whose parents are as yet unknown." (17)
John Waller (1673-1754) whose first Virginia home was "Endfield" plantation, successively in King and Queen and in King William counties, was a notable man of his time as an official in both the civil and military establishments of the colony. John Waller appears as a justice of the peace in King and Queen County, February 1698/9 and as Sheriff of that county, 1699-1701/2.(18)
In September 1701 King and Queen County was divided, that part south of the Mattapony River-known as Pamunkey Neck-becoming the county of King William. John Waller is referred to as Captain John Waller in April, 1701 (in a patent to Richard Littlepage); was a justice of the peace in King William County 1701/2; later major in the militia of that county serving in the regiment commanded by Colonel John West; and was appointed Sheriff of King William for 1702 and 1703. (19)
At a meeting of the Governor’s Council March 12 1701/2, the record states that "Mr. Waller hath upon several occasions given proof of his diligence and fidelity in discharging the trusts reposed in him." On May 3, 1704, Major John Waller (later colonel) was directed by the Governor and Council to take with him what force of militia he judged convenient and bring to Williamsburg two Indians who had threatened Her Majesty’s government and burned a Chickahominy Indian. The expense of this expedition was 1: 3:6, for accommodating the guard to Williamsburg, and ten shillings per man for each of the six men who went to search for the Indians. Major Waller, perhaps playing for higher stakes, received a grant of land (formerly the property of William Bates) by patent bearing date May 4, 1704. (20)
John Waller was a representative from King William County in the House of Burgesses, 1710-1714 and 1720-1722. (21)
Late in the year 1723 sadness came to the Waller home in Virginia when word was received of the death of Doctor John Waller who died in Newport Pagnell in Buckinghamshire, where we are told his body was entombed August 6, 1723 (Venn and Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses . . . Part I to 1750, Volume IV, page 321, gives this date); and, according to the directions of his will, "laid in that Vault or Monument on the South side of the Church of Newport Pagnell . . . built first for my dear son James and remains for a burying place for myself and those of my family of Wallers forever when it shall please God to call them." Doctor John Waller quite evidently gave careful consideration to the matter of the settlement of his worldly estate, as well as the disposition of his remains, for his will bears date August 1716, six years before his death in the late summer of 1723. Doctor John Waller bequeathed to my son John Waller who liveth in Virginia, over and above what I have already given and lent him the legacy or sum of twenty pounds and to his eldest daughter Mary, Ten pounds and to the rest of his children five pounds apeece; . .Does not the wording of this bequest seem to indicate that the good Doctor may have financed his son John’s venture to Virginia?
After a quarter of a century’s residence at "Endfield," his estate in King William County, rendering service in offices both civil and military in that county (and formerly in King and Queen County) Colonel John Waller removed to Spotsylvania County, sometime about 1723 to 1726, where he settled a large plantation. By act of the Virginia General Assembly, December 1720, parts of the upper areas of the counties of Essex, King William and King and Queen were set apart to form a new county under the name of Spotsylvania; the first court for Spotsylvania having been held August, 1722 (Hening, Statutes at Large . . . of Virginia, Volume 4, pages 77 and 540; and Spotsylvania County records, Book A, 1722-1749, record of first court of Spotsylvania). Colonel John Waller gave to his home plantation in Spotsylvania County the name of "Newport," reminiscent of his birth place, Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, England. This plantation, Newport in Spotsylvania, was situated on a tract of land that Colonel Waller purchased of Major William Todd, patenting the land in his own name, April 25, 1726. (The will of Colonel John Waller, dated August 7 1753, probated October I, 1754, will be given in Part II of this article, October magazine). The record of the purchase of this land has not been found of record; but the patent therefor appears as follows April 25, 1726 Colonel John Waller of Spotsylvania County, Gentleman, 1,000 acres of new land on south side of middle river of Mattapony, in St. George’s Parish, Spotsylvania County (Patent Book No. 12, page 347, in Division of Archives, Virginia State Library, Richmond). This home plantation Colonel John Waller devised by his will (after the death of his wife, Mrs. Dorothy Waller) to his son Colonel William Waller. Colonel John Waller also appears as patenting and purchasing other lands both in King William and Spotsylvania Counties (Patent Books No. 10 pages 67 and 91; No. 11, pages 53 and 94; No. 13, page 484; No. 14, page 57; Spotsylvania Records [edited by W. A. Grozier], page 100).
Colonel John Waller, removing from his "Endfield" estate in King William County, and establishing his "Newport" estate in Spotsylvania, became in 1722 the first clerk of Spotsylvania County, a position which he filled with great honor, both to himself and to the county, for twenty years. In 1742 he was succeeded by his son Edmund Waller. Colonel John Waller was also a member of the vestry of St. George's Parish, Spotsylvania County, during many years having been first elected thereto in 1725/6 (Slaughter, History of St. George's Parish . . . page 63); and was named as one of the first board of trustees for the town of Fredericksburg at its establishment by act of the Virginia General Assembly, passed March 22, 1727 [1727/8] and approved by the Governor March 20, 1728 (McIlwaine, editor, Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, 1727-1740, page 52; McIlwaine, editor, Legislative Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, Volume II, page 745; Hening, Statutes at Large . . . of Virginia, Volume IV, pages 234 et seq)
Colonel John Waller (1673-1754) first of his line of Wallers in Virginia; master of "Endfield" in King William County and of "Newport" in Spotsylvania County, died at his home in Spotsylvania in the early Fall (probably very late in September) 1754. His will dated August 2, 1753, with codicil dated August 15, 1754, was admitted to probate in Spotsylvania County Court, October I, 1754.
Colonel John Waller (1673-1754) married circa 1696-7, Dorothy King (born 1675; died 1759; her will dated October 26, 1758, probated Spotsylvania County, October 1, 1759) whose ancestry has never been determined. [The wills of Colonel John and Dorothy (King) Waller will appear in Part II of this article in October magazine ]
Colonel John Waller (1673-1754) of "Endfield," King William County and "Newport" Spotsylvania County, and his wife, Dorothy King (circa 1675-1759) had issue (22)
1. Mary Waller (born January 30, 1699; died March 23, 1781) married January 9, 1725, Zachary Lewis (born January I, 1702; died January 20, 1765) of Spotsylvania County, and had issue: (a) Ann Lewis (born November 30, 1726; died August 2, 1748) married December 26, 1747, George Wythe (as his first wife). George Wythe (1726-1806) of Williamsburg; later became one of Virginia’s most distinguished citizens. He was one of the Virginia Signers of the Declaration of Independence and an eminent lawyer and jurist. (b) Mary Lewis (born January 30, 1727; died July 1803) married February 16, 1750, Francis Meriwether. John Lewis (born October 18, 1729; died September 12, 1780) married first, Sarah Iverson; second, Mildred Lewis. - (d) Zachary Lewis (born May 6, 1731; died July 21, 1803) married May 8, 1771 Ann Overton Terrell (born September 3, 1748 died November 30, 1820). (e) Elizabeth Lewis (born October 9, 1732; died 1809) married first, Colonel James Littlepage (born 1714; died 1766); second, Major Lewis Holladay (born August, 1751; died October, 1820). (f) Mourning Lewis (born April 1, 1734; died April 12, 1734). (g) Lucy Lewis (born December 5, 1735; died 1788) married Christopher Ford. (h) Dorothea Lewis, born September 3, 1737; died )married Christopher (i) Waller Lewis (born September 12 1739; died ) married Sarah Lewis.--(j) Benjamin Lewis (born June 16,1744; died ) married Martha A. Bickerton. (23)
2. John Waller (born circa 1701; died 1776) of Spotsylvania County: (24) married1730, Agnes Carr (born 1712; died 1779) daughter of Thomas and Mary Dabney) Carr, and had issue: (a) Thomas Waller (born 1732, died February 10, 1787) married Sarah Dabney (born October 2, 1740; died January 10, 1822), daughter of John and Sarah A. J. (Harris) Dabney. - (b) Pomfrett Waller (born January 20, 1747; died June 20, 1799), married Martha Martin. - (c) Agnes Waller married ____Johnson. (d) Ann Waller married James Bullock. - (e) Mary Waller married James Overton. - (f) Sarah Waller married Clifton Rhodes (1740-1819) of Albemarle County. - (g) Dorothy Waller married Thomas Goodloe. - (h) Elizabeth Waller married Edmund Eggleston.
3.Thomas Waller (born 1705; died circa 1765) married circa 1725. Elizabeth Dabney (born circa 1705; died 1794) and had issue:(a) Thomas Waller (born circa 1730; died 1798), married circa 1750; Susanna [Edwards ?].
(b) Dorothy Waller (born circa 1732; died 1792) married1750, Solomon Quarles (born 1725; died December 30, 1774) ((25)
c) John Waller (born 1735; styled "John Waller, King Wm"); married Mary Ann _____?
4. William Waller (born June 1714; died January 10, 1760), (26)married June 8, Mrs. Ann (Stanard) Beverley (circa 1716 1756) and had issue (a) Doctor William Waller (born 1739; d.s.p.). - (b) John Waller (born circa 1741; died circa 1775), (27)married Ann Bowker (she married second, Thomas Pritchett) - (c) Ann Waller, married John Beverely Roy. - (d) Dorothy Waller, married Richard Johnston. - (e) Martha Waller married Captain Gabriel Jones. - (f) Sarah Waller, died unmarried. The statement about Sarah is almost certainly incorrect. Interested researchers are referred to Nicky Minor, (email address, dminor@ibm.net ) Nicky has documented the fact that Sarah married Owen Minor.
5. Benjamin Waller (born October 1, 1716; died May 31, 1786); (28)married January 2, 1746, Martha Hall (born July 2, 1728; died August 4, 1780) and had issue:(a) Martha Waller (born November 28, 1747; died ____) married March15, 1767, William Taylor (born 1739; died September 11, 1820), of Lunenburg County. - (b) Robert Waller (born July 16, 1749; died October, 1749). (c)Mary Waller (born July 14, 1752; died ___) married John Tayloe Corbin. - (d) John Waller (born July 25, 1753; died ___), (29)married September 11, 1774, Judith Page. - (e) Dorothy Elizabeth Waller (born January 2, 1754; died May 13, 1777), married January 13, 1774, Henry Tazewell. - (f) Ann Waller (born February 29, 1756; died November 10, 1785) married April 18, 1773, John Boush. (g) Benjamin Carter Waller (born December 24, 1757; died ____) married Catharine Page. - (h) Clara Waller (born September 16, 1759; died ___) married first, Edward Travis; second, Mordecai Booth. - (i) William Waller (born February 18 1762; died 1820), married November 30, 1786, Elizabeth Macon. - (j) Robert Hall Waller (born January 7, 1764; died ___), married first, Nancy Camm; second, Martha (nee Langhorne) Crafford. - (k) Sarah Waller (born January 16, 1766; died ___) married John Smith. - (1) Ben Waller (born December 3, 1750; died August 31, 1751). - (m) Frances Waller (born April 6, 1767; died June 15, 1767). (30)
6. Edmund Waller (born circa 1718; died 1771) (31)married, October 18,1740, Mary Pendleton (born 1720; died 1808), and had issue: (a) The Reverend John Waller (born December 23, 1741; died July 4, 1802) married first, Elizabeth Curtis; second Rachel ___ (b) The Reverend William Edmund Waller (1747- 1830) married Mildred Smith (1746-1830). (c) Benjamin Waller (1749-1835) married first Jean Curtis; second Rachel ____. (d) Leonard James Mouming Waller married first Agnes Chiles, second Frances Robinson. - (e) Mary Waller married William Wigglesworth. -(f) Dorothy Jemima Waller (born 1758; died January 12, 1838) married Benjamin Stephens (born April 15, 1754; died September 14, 1839. - (g) Nancy Waller married George Mason.
(This list of the children and grandchildren of Colonel John [1673-1754] and Dorothy [King, circa 1675-1759] Waller was compiled by Miss Anne Waller Reddy, Richmond, Virginia. (32))
(To be continued.)
NOTES
(1) Lipscombe, "The History and Antiquities of the County of
Buckingham"
--London--1847, Volume 4, pages 270, 388; Lyson, Magna Brittannia, being
a concise topographical account of the several Counties of Great Britain;
Volume 1 containing Bedfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire---
London, 1806; page 459.
(2) The [register of the Parish of Walton (near Bletchley)
Buckinghamshire,
1598-1812. Privately printed for the Bucks Parish Register Society by
permission of the Reverend Algernon E. Tollemache, B.A.; Rector of
Walton. Page 18: "1669 Mr. John Waller and Mrs. Mary Pomfrett of Newport
Pagnell were married January 13th 1669."
(3) Lipscombe, The History and Antiquities of . Buckingham . . Volume IV, pages 5, 139-140.
(4) William and Mary Quarterly, First Series, Volume 9, pages 63 et seq, gives the dates of births of the children of "Doctor John Waller and Mary, his wife" as recorded in the Register of Newport Pagnell, Bucks, communicated by the Reverend C M Ottley, vicar of Newport Pagnell. The dates of births as given above are as given in the Quarterly, Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 26 pages 32-33 (quoting the Quarterly, Volume 9, page 63) also gives the dates of the births of the children of "Doctor John Waller and Mary, his wife " See Wlrhingron's Virginia Gleanings in England (Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc.. 1980 p. 455)
(5) William Waller M A., Corpus Christi [Cambridge], 1697 . . . Matriculated (Wadham College, Oxford) April 5, 1688, age 16; B.A. (Oxford) 1691; ordained priest (Norwich) September, 1697, rector of Gressenhall, Norfolk, 1700-1704, rector of Brisley, 1704, rector of Walton Bucks, 1711-1751; buried there February 25, 1750/1. Venn and Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses . . . Part 1 to 1750, Volume IV, page 321, column 7 (research made since the publication of Alumni Cantabrigienses has proved that this Reverend William Waller was William son of Doctor John and Mary [Pomfrett] Waller, of Newport Pagnell, Bucks; and that the said William was brother of Edmund Waller (1680-1745/6) a graduate of Cambridge- see note 7 below). In The Register of the Parish of Walton (near Bletchley) Buckinghamshire, 1598-1812 . . . page 2, we find: "Gulielmus Waller, Rector de Walton Junii 230 Anno Dom: 1711. Mr. Waller was buried Feb. 25, 1750/51(The will of William Waller, rector of Walton, Bucks, dated October 26 1747 probated March 28 1751; recorded Prerogative Court of Canterbury. 100 Busby ) Lipscombe, The History and Antiquities of the County of Buckingham, volume IV, page 387 states that "William Waller, A.M. who was presented 23 June 1711 to rectorship of Walton, Bucks by John Waller, Gent. an Attorney of Newport Pagnell. He died 18 Feb. 1750, aged 80 years and was buried 25 Feb. in the church-yard, under the east window of the chancel." The item in Lipscombe does not state that 'John Waller, an "Attorney" was the father of William Walton whom he presented to the rectorship of Walton. He may, however, have been the father of the rector as surmised by Dr. John G. Herndon in his Waller note in William and Mary Quarterly Second Series, Volume 22 (July 1942), page 313.
(6) The will of Doctor John Waller, of Newport Pagnell, Bucks, dated August 21, 1716 probated November 6, 1723 does not mention this daughter Mary Waller (born May 23 1674) nor the son Steven Waller (born Nov. 24 1676) and the natural presumption is that both Mary and Steven were dead at the time that their father made his will. Thus far research has failed to discover any further recorded reference to the names of this Mary and Steven Waller. We would note, however, that the late Moncure D. Conway made the statement (without giving any specific reference therefor) many years ago, that "Edward Herndon of King and Queen and Caroline Counties, Virginia) married Mary Waller in 1698" (see Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 9, January 1902 number page 319)* an argument based on circumstantial evidence has been advanced to identify this Mrs. Mary (Waller) Herndon as Mary Waller (born May 23 1674) daughter of Doctor John and Mary (Pomfrett) Waller of Newport Pagnell, Bucks. This argument from circumstantial evidence is made by Doctor John G. Herndon in The Herndon Family of Virginia, Volume One, The First Three Generations (Privately printed 1947), pages 7- 8, and in his article entitled 'Waller" in William and Mary Quarterly, Second Series, Volume 22 (July 1942 number), pages 31a-316. We are not prepared, however, to accept the argument from circumstantial evidence as proving that Mary Waller who married Edward Herndon, according to the statement of the late Moncure D. Conway, was identical with Mary Waller born May 23 1674 daughter of Doctor John and Mary (Pomfrett) Waller, of Newport Pagnell Bucks. See Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 55 pages 295-6 for our review of The Herndon Family of Virginia, Volume One, "The First Three Generations."
(7) Edmund Waller, admitted Pens. (age 16) at St. John's [Cambridge] March 30, 1698 son of John Waller (1664 [Cambridge]) M.D Born at Newport Pagnell, Bucks; School, Newport Pagnell (Dr. Banks), matriculated 1698 B.A. 1701/2; M.A 1705; M D. 1712; Fellow 1705-45. Died 1745; buried in the College Chapel. Venn and Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses . . . Part 1 to 1750, Volume IV, page 321 Column 1. The will of Edmund Waller, Doctor of Physic, Senior Fellow of St. John's College, Cambridge; dated November 21, 1745; codicil December 11, 1745; probated January 8, 1745 [1745/6], among other bequests: "to my brother John Waller in Virginia or if he be dead to be divided amongst all his children 100 pounds excepting his eldest son John to whom in particular I give 50 pounds" He also directs: 'If I die any great distance from Cambridge or Newport Pagnell, Bucks, to be buried where I die; if at Newport Pagnell, aforesaid, in family vault in the Church yard." Edmund Waller's will was recorded Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 31 Edmunds an abstract thereof is given in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume 26 pages 275-6.
(8) William and Mary Quarterly First Series, Volume 9 page 63. The register of Newport Pagnell also gives the following items: 'Buried . . . Ann Waller, July 7, 1678 . . . James Waller, son of John, January 1683 . . . Alice Waller September 27 1699 . ." We have not been able to identify Ann Waller. James Waller was the son for the interment of whose body Doctor John Waller erected the family vault in the churchyard of Newport Pagnell, as he tells in his will. Alice Waller was in all probability a sister of Doctor John Waller and the person to whom Doctor Waller refers in his will as his daughter Jemima Waller's "Aunt Alice Waller."
(9) The will of John Waller, of Newport Pagnell, Buckinghamshire, dated August 21 1716 proved November 6, 1723 is interesting to Wallers in Virginia other than the descendants of his son Colonel John Waller (1673- 1754) of "Endfield" King William County and "Newport," Spotsy]vania County. John Waller, of Newport Pagnell in his will devised "to my brother Thomas Waller who liveth in Virginia the legacy or sume of twenty pounds to be paid unto him by my exor’s within twelve months next after my death." Could this be Thomas Waller, of Surry County, Virginia Who appears in that county from 1674 until his death in 1721 (see Boddie Colonial Surry . . . pages 187, 189, 190, 194, 197, 204 and 210). Thomas Waller patented 420 acres in Surry County in 1682 part of which he later sold (Surry County records, Deeds, Wills and Orders 1671-1684 pages 320-321) The will of Thomas Waller, of Surry County, dated February 1, 1721 probated April 19, 1721 names sons Thomas, William and John Waller daughters Katherine, Sarah, Mary and Elise Waller (Ibid., Wills and Deeds, 1715-1730, page 329). We have not attempted to work out this line of Surry County Wallers. There was also a John Waller who appears in Northampton County, Virginia, in 1654; and who later, 1666 appears in Somerset County, Maryland. He died prior to July 30 1667. He married Alice Major and left issue: (1) William Waller' born 1661 (2) Major Waller (a daughter), born 1664; married Arnold Elzey; (3) Alice Waller, born 1666 (Torrance, Old Somerset on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, page 460). From these Wallers no doubt descended one Major Waller, styling himself "of Spotsylvania County" in 1743 when he purchased land in Amelia County (Amelia County records, Deed Book 2, 1742-1747 pages 26- 27). No attempt will be made in this article to treat of the Waller items that appear in the Abingdon Parish (Gloucester County, Virginia) register; nor to trace the Waller family which appeared in Stafford County early in the eighteenth century.
(10) In Berry's Buckinghamshire Genealogies, pages 57, there appears a pedigree of the Waller family that enters John Waller of Newport Pagnell, as son of Thomas Waller, of Gregories, and his wife Ann, daughter of Sir John Keats- the said Thomas Waller, of Gregories having been a grandson of Thomas Waller of Beaconsfield and his wile, Dorothy Garrard. This pedigree carries the statement that John Waller, of Newport Pagnell had a son "John Waller . . . settled in Virginia" and "several other sons and daus. some of whom settled in Virginia and Pennsylvania in America. This pedigree as given in Berry's "Buckinghamshire Pedigrees" is quoted in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Volume XXVI, page 33 and by Doctor John G. Herndon, in his note on the Waller family in William and Mary Quarterly, Second series, Volume 22 pages 312-316.
(10a) See note 7, Edmund Waller, that carries items affording evidence that William Waller (1697 [Cambridge]," was son of Doctor John Waller (circa 1645-1723) of Newport Pagnell Bucks.
(11) In the record of John Waller quoted above from Venn and Venn (editors) Alumni Cantabrigienses . . . J. R. Glencross certainly identifies this John Waller, son of John, a clothier, of Braintree, Essex . . ." as Doctor John Waller of Newport Pagnell Bucks, who died in August 1723 and who by his will is proved to have been the father of Colonel John Waller (1673- 1754) the emigrant to Virginia who established his home at "Endfield," King William (formerly King and Queen) County.
The records of the Barber Surgeons Company certainly identify the John Waller, apprenticed and June 1659 and admitted to service February 1665/6, as son of John Waller, of Braintree, Essex. The items from the Register of Apprentices 1657-167Z and the Register of Freemen 1665-1704, of the Barber Surgeons Company were sent to the editor of this Magazine by Miss Nellie McN. O'Farrell, Hampstead, England, in April 1951.
The reconciliation of the statement in Alumni Cantabrigienses and the Barber Surgeons Company records, that John Waller was son of John Waller of Braintree, Essex, with the statement in Berry's Buckinghamshire Pedigrees, that he was the son of Thomas Waller and Ann Keats (see note (10) above) we must leave to some future student of Waller family history.
Though the correspondence of the late Reginald M. Glencross with the late William G. Stanard, secretary of the Virginia Historical Society (now in the collections of the Society) clearly states that Mr. Glencross rejected the statement made by Berry's Buckinghamshire Genealogies identifying Doctor John Waller (circa 1645-1723) of Newport Pagnell as John, son of Thomas and Anne (Keats) Waller of Gregories, and gives his reasons therefor (Glencross to Stanard, 27 July 1921) Mr. Glencross writes (in the same letter): 'I don't doubt any more than you do that Doctor John [Waller] came from Bucks originally but I think his immediate ancestors were Norfolk." That Doctor John Waller (circa 1645-1723)--wherever it may be determined by research that he comes in to that line--is certainly of the Buckinghamshire family, is certainly attested by the use in Virginia by his grandson, Colonel William Waller (1714-1760) of Spotsylvania County (son of Colonel John Waller [1673-1754], and grandson of Doctor John Waller [circa 1645-1723], of Newport Pagnell Buckinghamshire of the coat of arms of the Wallers of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire.
(12) This abstract of the will of Doctor John Waller (1645 1723) was made by the late Reginald M Glencross, of London, and sent by him to the late William G. Stanard, secretary of the Virginia Historical Society, in March 1921 and is filed, with many other Waller notes sent by Mr. Glencross to Doctor Stanard, in the collections of the Virginia Historical Society.
(12a) We have in a patent six years later a reference to John Waller and John Pomfrett as headrights named in a grant of land issued April 1, 1702 to Richard Littlepage for 4,886 acres in Pamunkey Neck [King William County] (Patent Book 9 1695-1706 page 456). As no patent for land appears to have been issued at any time to John Waller for the 50 acres of land to which he was entitled for coming into the colony, and there is ample evidence that he had arrived in Virginia prior to May 10 1696; it is not improbable that he held his right until 1702 then sold it to Richard Littlepage who included it in his patent of April 1 1702. The John Pomfrett, who was also a headright in the patent of April 1, 1702 to Richard Littlepage was unquestionably a kinsman of John Waller through his mother, Mrs. Mary (Pomfrett) Waller
(13) The copy of this patent (the only evidence of the patent's ever having been issued) is owned by L. Harvey Poe, Jr., Richmond. Its attestation "Copy Test. Ben: Waller Matt- Kemp C.S.O.'' shows that this copy was attested by Benjamin Waller who was, at the time the copy was made, clerk of the General Court and Matthew Kemp who was clerk of the Secretary of State's office in which patents for land were recorded. The date at which this copy of the patent was made does not appear. We cannot say why there is no record of this patent in the remaining Patent Books though researchers have discovered in deeds and other original sources evidence of patents issued that seem never to have been recorded. Benjamin Waller was a son of Colonel John Waller who purchased the land from Elias Downes, as recited above.
(14) In the collection of Waller family papers owned by L. Harvey Poe, Jr., Richmond, there is a contemporary copy of a deed dated May 2, 1751 by which "John Waller of the county of Spotsylvania, Gent conveyed (for 110 pounds currency) to "Benjamin Waller of the City of Williamsburg Gent" 421 acres on the Mattapony River, St. John's Parish. King William County, being "part of a larger tract sold and conveyed to the said John Waller by Elias Downes by Deed recorded in King and Queen County Court the twelfth Day of June One thousand Six hundred and Ninety.
There remains no copy of the deed from Elias Downes to John Waller (as referred to above) as the King and Queen County records were destroyed. The deed of May 21, 1751 John Waller to Benjamin Waller (recited above) was recorded in the General Court of Virginia October 16 1751, whose records also have been destroyed; therefore the copy owned by L. Harvey Poe, Jr. is the only remaining evidence thereof. The said copy is attested by "Ben: Waller, Cl. Cor." Benjamin Waller at the time that this copy of the deed was made was clerk of the General Court.
(15) King William County records, Book 1 page 183.
(16) This portion of the "Endfield" tract as the location of the dwelling house is identified by the item in Colonel John Waller's will (dated 1753 by which be gave to his son John Waller "five hundred acres of land being in the parish of St. John's in the county of King William, on Mattapony river . . including the plantation I did live . ."
(17) There was certainly a family by the name of King that resided in the vicinity of John Waller's "Endfield" estate during the latter half of the 17th and early part of the 18th centuries. A patent granted to Richard Littlepage, April 25, 1701 for lands "in Pamunkey Neck, Kin and Queen County . . . on the . . . Mattapony River refers to ". . . an old field that formerly belonged to Mr. John King . . “ and a line “running thence up the said river [Mattapony] to a corner white oak of Captain John Waller’s land formerly the land of Talbot” (Virginia Patent Book 1695-1706, page 3. This item was supplied Miss Anne Waller Reddy by Doctor John G. Herndon, Haverford Pennsylvania). Though the family of this Mr. John King has not been worked out (and it may be impossible to trace owing to destruction of records of counties in the area in which he lived;) yet the fact that John King and John Waller (whose wife’s name was Dorothy King) owned adjoining lands is not without significance in this connection.
(18) McIlwaine (editor), Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, June 11 1680 June 22, 1699, pages 411 and 446; Ibid., August 3, 1699-April 27, 1705, page 135.
(19) Ibid August 3, 1699--April 27, 1705, pages 225 and 235.
(20) McIlwaine (editor), Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia, August 3, 1699 April 27, 1705, pages 364, 370 and 368.
(21) McIlwaine (editor), Journals of the House of Burgesses of Virginia, Volume 1702/3-1712, page IX; Ibid, Volume 1712-26, pages VII and X.
(22) Will of Colonel John Waller, of Spotsylvania County, dated August 2, 1753, codicil dated August 15, 1754; probated October 1, 1754 (Spotsylvania County records, Will Book B, 1749-1759, page 216) and will of Mrs. Dorothy Waller, of Spotsylvania County, dated October 26 1758; probated October 1, 1759 (Ibid., Will Book B, 1749-1759, page 427) name their children and several of their grandchildren.
(23) For children (and their descendants) of Zachary Lewis (1702-1765) and Mary Waller (1699-1781), his wife, see Hayden, Virginia Genealogies . . . pages 381 et seq., and Anderson, Lewises, Meriwethers and their Kin ... Richmond Va.... 1938, pages 355 et seq. Zachary Lewis (1702-1765) was a distinguished lawyer and wealthy planter of his time. He became a member of the Vestry of St. George’s Parish, Spotsylvania County, in 1728; was King’s Attorney for Spotsylvania and a representative in the House of Burgesses from that county 1757-1761.
(24) John Waller (son of Colonel John and Dorothy [King] Waller) appears in list of vestrymen of St. George’s Parish, Spotsylvania County in 1733 as John Waller, Jr., and as John Waller, Jr. be qualified to his commission, dated July 14, 1746 as Sheriff of Spotsylvania County. He was the eldest son of Colonel John and Dorothy (King) Waller, as is attested and fully proved by the record of probate of his father’s will: At a Court held for Spotsylvania County on Tuesday October the 1st. 1754. The last will and testament of John Waller, Gent. Deced. was exhibited and sworn to by William Waller, Gent. one of the Exors therein named and was proved . . . and ordered to be recorded . . . and . . . certificate is granted for obtaining a probate thereof . . . And John Waller Gent eldest son and heir at law to the testator appeared and desired time to contest the validly of the said will, which is granted And it is ordered that he be summoned to the next court to contest the said will, relating to the find devised away from him, if he shall think fit . . . At a Court Continued and held for Spotsylvania County, December the 4th. 1754. John Waller son and heir at law of John Waller, Gent Deceased being summoned to appear and make his objections, if any he had, to the proof of the will of the sd deceased, or contest the validly thereof in regard to the lands devised away from him, being Solemnly called, came not, and his failure is ordered to be recorded . . . (Spotsylvania County records, Will Book B, 1749-1758, page 221). We are indebted to George H. S. King, Fredericksburg, Virginia, for calling particular attention to this item when he was engaged, sometime since, in proving the eldest among the sons of Colonel John Waller (1673-1754). The will of John Waller of Berkeley Parish, Spotsylvania County dated February 6, 1776 probated August 18, 1776 Spotsylvania County records, Will Book E, 1772-1798, page 153) and the will of his widow, Mrs. Agnes Waller, dated May 20, 1777; probated March 1779 (Ibid., page 288) names their children and several of their grandchildren.
(25) The will of Colonel John Waller, dated August 2, 1753; probated October 1, 1754 names his son Thomas Waller and the said Thomas Waller’s children John Waller and Dorothy Quarles.
(26) William Waller (1714-1760) inherited (after the death of his mother, Mrs. Dorothy Waller) the "Newport" estate in Spotsylvania County that his father Colonel John Waller had established. William Waller (1714-1760) was a man of considerable distinction in the life of his county. He was captain of a troop of horse in November 1737 and on July 4, 1749 qualified to his commission as colonel of horse in Spotsylvania County. In 1745 he became a member of the Vestry of St. George’s Parish and was a representative from Spotsylvania County in the House of Burgesses 1742-1753, 1756, and 1758-59. He was a surveyor of the county and succeeded his brother, Edmund Waller, as third clerk of Spotsylvania County in 1751, holding this office until his death. The will of William Waller, of Spotsylvania County, Gent., dated October 22, 1756; probated May 6, 1760 names his children as do also A state of the division of the Proper slaves of Colonel William Waller, according to his will” and A state of the division of slaves which Mrs. Ann Waller held as her dower of the estate of Robert Beverley, Esqr. deceased, and are claimed by the children of William Waller, Gent., deed. (Spotsylvania County Orphans Account Book pages 59 and 61. We are indebted to George H. S. King, of Fredericksburg for these last named references) Colonel William Waller (1714-1760) married Mrs. Ann (Stanard) Beverley, widow of Robert Beverley (died 1733) Esquire, and daughter of William Stanard (1682-1732) and Ann (Hazlewood) Stanard. It is through the possession by Colonel William Waller (1714-1760) of a copper plate of my family arms and my silver seal with the said arms engraved thereon that the Waller family coat of arms has descended in the Virginia family.
(27) John Waller (circa 1741-1775) succeeded his father, Colonel William Waller (1714-1760) as county clerk of Spotsylvania County and was the fourth of his family to hold that office John Waller’s estate was administered on in Spotsylvania County by John Lewis who gave hold therefor May 18, 1775.
(28) See Part II of this article, October magazine, for sketch of Benjamin Waller (1716-1786).
(29) John Waller (son of Benjamin Waller [1716-1786]) was fifth clerk of Spotsylvania County, from circa 1774 to 1786; and fifth of the Waller name to hold that office.
(30) In the Virginia Historical Society library there is a copy of The Works of Edmund Waller Esq.; in Verse and Prose . . . London . . . 1730, once the property of Mrs. L. C. Waller who left it by will to Mrs. Mary C. (Waller) Rowland, wife of Thomas B. Rowland, of Norfolk. This book was deposited with the Society in 1915. Inside the back cover is pasted a copy of records from Benjamin Waller’s family Bible.
(31) Part II of this article will carry a note on Edmund Waller. Evidence for names of Edmund Waller’s children will be found in wills of their paternal grandparents Colonel John and Dorothy (King) Waller, and in deeds in Spotsylvania County records.
(32) Several times in the past there have been items published in regard to the Waller family in Virginia the most notable of these will be found in The Richmond Standard, April 24, 1880 (by R. A. Brock) The Critic, Richmond, Virginia, March 15, March 29, and April 5, 1890 (by W. G. Stanard) and Hayden, Virginia Genealogies . . . pages 382-83.
CORRECTION (from the original) Mr. Gilbert Burnet Lewis, of Richmond, Virginia, has called our attention to an erroneous statement in the Waller article in Virginia Magazine of History and Biography, Vol. 59, No. 3 (July 1951), page 350, lines 10 and 11. John Lewis (1729 1780; son of Zachary and Mary [Waller] Lewis) did not marry Sarah Iverson. This John Lewis (1729-1780) married only once and that marriage was to Mildred Lewis. The John Lewis who married Sarah Iverson was John Lewis of King and Queen County, who was a brother of Zachary Lewis (1702-1765) who married Mary Waller. Therefore, John Lewis, (who married Sarah Iverson) was an uncle of John Lewis (1729- 1780) who married Mildred Lewis. Editor
An attorney interpreted by Jim Loba.
