Helen Glenn Court

Battaile

Humphrey Battaile arrived in England as a young man in 1066, clear enough in the pronunciation of the name as Battle, but substantiated elsewhere. The English genealogy is exhaustive, but addresses only one emigrant—Thomas to Massachusetts in 1637, not John to Virginia, who first appears in the colonial records on 1 April 1684. An inherited silver service does bear the coat of arms of the Wivenhoe branch of the family in Essex, but any connection is guesswork.

Sources: McIlhany, Some Virginia Families; Old King William Homes & Families, p. 101; Calendar of Virginia State Papers vol. 1, p. 44; Stanard, Colonial Virginia Register, p. 92; William & Mary Quarterly vol. 2, p. 5, vol. 9, p. 42; McCroarty, "The Line of Battaile," pp. 34-45; McCroarty, Battelle, A History, p. 2

generation no. 1

John Battaile, born c 1658 in England, died before 1708 in Virginia (see will). Under sheriff for the south side of the Rappahannock in 1684. Lieutenant Colonel of the Essex Co. militia at the time of his death. Married (1) Catherine Taliaferro, no issue, and (2) after 1667 Elizabeth Smith, daughter of Lawrence Smith and Mary Hitchon, the mother of his children.

generation no. 2

Lawrence Battaile Senior, died before March 1749-50. Married possibly Sarah Fitzhugh, who died before 8 January 1750-51.

generation no. 3

Lawrence Battaile Junior, died before 11 November 1773 in Caroline Co. Married Sarah Robinson, daughter of Benjamin Robinson and Sarah Ryng.

generation no. 4

Sarah Ryng Battaile, born May 1765, died 13 March 1811. Married 1783 Thomas Reade Rootes II.

Will: John Battaile

20 January 1707-8

In the name of God, Amen.

I, John Battaile, of the par. of St. Marys's, in the County of Essex, being sick and weak in body but of perfect sense and memory, doe make this my last will and testament as foloweth, My Soul to God that gave it and my body to the earth.

Imprimus. To my loving wife, Elizabeth Battaile, negro Robin and his wife, Sarah, Truelove, Nanny, and Fenny, also horse Strawberry and the two cart horses, Likewise Plantation that I had of John Powell during her life with full power to cleare and tend as farr as the hither side of John Bournes levell it being in full lieu of her thirds or dower off my lands and negroes.

Item. I give to my son Jno. Battaile negroes Tom, Bess, Frank, Moll, and her child Beck. Also horses Smoaker and ffryer and the land I bought of John Bridgar from the river side to the hithermost part of Powells branch near Mr. Francis Thornton's also the land that I bought of Edward Stephens and Henry Stephens and the remaining part of the tract that I gave my loving wife, all which lands I give to my said son to him and his heires forever. But if John dyes before he comes of age I give to my son Hay Battaile and his heires forever the remaining part of the tract his mother lives on and to my son Law. Battaile and his heirs forever all the rest of the lands (which) belonged to John.

Item. I give to my son, Law. Battaile the remaining part of the land I bought of Bridgar to him and his heires forever; negro Jack and Judy four cows four yews and three sows and a horse called Brimstone, a feather bedd bolsters and pillows blanketts & rug, an iron pott frying pan & pestle and my will is that my Execrs (here) after named doe seat my son Lawrence's plantation as soon as conveniently they can and put his things on it.

Item. I give to my daughter Eliz. Battaile 300 A. land that I bought of Mr. Sampson Dorrell to her and her heires forever; negroes Sampson & Wya, also 4 cows 4 yews and 3 sows and horse Snip side saddle and furniture 2 silver spoons a feather bedd bolsters & pillows, blankett & rugg.

Item. I give to my son Hay Battaile the plantation that his mother dwells on, after her death, to him and his heires forever. I give Solomons Garden to my said son and my son Nicholas Battaile to be equally divided to them & their heires forever and if either of them dye before they come of age the survivor to enjoy it. Also I give to Hay Battaile negroes Duke & Madam and a young coult called Starr, 4 cowes 4 yews & 3 sows a feather bedd bolsters & pillows blankett & rugg.

Item. I give to my son Nicholas Battaile negro Captain and Phillis and the first coult that the old mare brings, also 4 cows 4 yews and 3 sows and a feather bedd bolsters and pillows blankett and Rugg.

Item. All the rest of my estate after my debts & funerall charges being Pd, I give to be equally divided between my loving wife and my son John in kind either at my wife's second marriage or at my son John's death or at his coming of age, which either first happens and that to be divided by Coll Jno. Catlett, Mr. Francis Taliaferro and Mr. James Harrison, or any 2 of them and upon any such division my son John to give security for the maintenance of my daughter Eliz. and my son Lawrence till Lawrence comes of age or Elizabeth Marryes, and my loving wife to give security for the maintenance of my son Hay and my son Nicholas till they come of age, and I doe hereby (revoke) all former wills by me made and doe hereby make my loving wife and my son X'trix & Exor. of this my last will & testament & during the minority of my sd son I doe appoint my Bro. Chas. Taliaferro and Mr. Wm. Thornton to act in my son John's stead.

Item. My will is that my sons shall be of age when they shall successively attain to the age of 17 years to possess their estates but not to make disposal of lands & negroes till their one and twenty, and my will is that my estate be inventoried in 6 months after my decease by these gentlemen above mentioned or any 2 of them. In witness whereof I have sett my hand and seale this 20th day of Jany. in the yr of our Lord 1707/8.

John Battaile

(Wit) Andrew Harrison. Probate 10 February 1707-8

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