This web page was first mounted on February 15, 2009 by Sheila Schmutz. [email protected] and last updated on April 12, 2009. This webpage is part of a series of pages on Oliver genealogy.
from a WorldConnect posting by "Kuzzuns" in 2008: "James Oliver was a tobacco planter who accumulated extensive landholdings in Amelia, Lunenburg, Mecklenburg, and Halifax Counties, Virginia. He originally came from Hanover County, Virginia. Moved to Amelia County, VA by 1738. In 1743 he got a patent for 400 acres on the north side of the Great Nottoway River, on both sides of Snail Creek in what is now Prince Edward County. Lived in Raleigh Parish, Amelia County later in 1743 when they sold the same tract to James Purcell. A family tradition states that he had 7 sons in the Continental Army, 6 of whom survived the war. That may be the case, but no surviving records confirm it."
from a manuscript entitled: "The Oliver Family" by Dorothy Haizlip Ward, 1990 page 8. Apparently he left a will in Amelia County Will B. 4:42. p. 9. He was "granted 400 acres on both sides of Great Nottoway River and both sides of Snales Creek in Amelia Co. in June of 1743." She states that he was placed as the son of John Oliver "tentatively".
1782 Virginia Enumeration, Amelia Co
1784 Virginia Enumeration, Amelia Co
Deeds
Note that there are likely earlier deeds, but I have not searched the films before 1780.
From the Virginians by John Pritchett at http://www.virginians.com/redirect.htm?topics&488, Isaac did receive land as follows:
"On 22 Jan. 1778 James and Elizabeth Oliver, in consideration for their love and affection for their son Isaac, gave him the 400 acres they owned on Buffalo Creek in Amelia County." (Amelia Co. Deed Bk. 14, 1776-78, p. 245)
Amelia County Deed book Vol 16 1780-1784 Film 0030437 p. 245
(transcribed by Sheila Schmutz on March 20, 2009)
To all Christian People unto whom this Present Writing shall come I James Oliver of Amelia County & Parish of Nottoway send Greeting. Know ye that for & in consideration of the good Will, Love & affection which I have & do bear unto my grand daughter Sally Oliver have given & granted & by these present do give grant and confirm unto the said Sally Oliver one Negro girl named Tabb. To have and to hold the said Negro Girl Tabb with her increase unto the said Sally Oliver her Heirs, Executors, Administrator and assigns from henceforth to her & their own pers�.. per use & uses thereof and therewith to do order and dispose at her or their wills & pleasure as her Property, Right, Title & Interest without any Manner of let Trouble or denial of me the said James Oliver or any other person or persons Whatsoever. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand & seal this 17th day of June 1783.
James Oliver (seal)
[note that James Oliver is thought to have had two grand daughters named Sarah Oliver. One by his son Richard who did not marry Mary Jennings until 1785 and another by his son Isaac, born in 1785 if she was indeed 65 in the 1850 census. Some postings say his son William had a daughter Sarah born in 1781. So was she this Sarah Oliver who was born by 1783? or could she be another Sarah from his sons James or John?]
Will
posting by Delores Dickson to WorldConnect in 2005 provided part of the will. Further sections were added by Pat Stricklin in Feb. 2009 and then Sheila Schmutz received the microfilm in April 2009 and so this was again edited, to include the complete will. Will probated 27 Apr 1787 Amelia Co VA 1787 FHL Will Bk 4 p 43 (30451) 7233 pt3
Last Will & Testament of James Oliver Amelia County, Va. Will Book 4, p.p. 43, 44; 45 Dated Feb. 28, 1787 Probated April 27, 178
In the name of God Amen, I James Oliver of Amelia County being very infirm in body but of sound mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testatment, and as touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following, Viz: Imprimis I will that all my just debts be paid.
Item I give and bequeath unto my grand daughter Frances Bottom a negro girl named Bett and her increase, also a horse saddle and bridle all which I give to her and her heirs, but provided that my said grand daughter Frances should die without a lawful heir, that the same be returnable to my estate to be equally divided among all my children their heirs etc-
Item I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Patty Forrest one negro girl named Lidda and her increase to her and her heirs forever.
Item I will and desire that my slave known by the name of Julias shall be emancipated and that my executors hereafter named shall take the proper steps to obtain the liberation and mancipation of the said slave Julias.
Item I give and bequeath to my son James Oliver his heirs and assigns forever a tract of land lying in the county of Halifax containing two hundred acres be it more or less�.I do lend my son James a Negro man slave named Bob, during his natural life, and after his death I give the said slave to Benjamin Oliver the son of the aforesaid James Oliver to him and his heirs forever.
Item I will and desire that whatsoever estate I have heretofore given & is now in the possession of my sons and Daughters, to wit, John Oliver, Asa Oliver, Isac Oliver, James Oliver, William Oliver, Elizabeth Forrist and Sarah Bottom shall remain to them and their heirs forever.
Item I give and bequeath to my son Richard Oliver his heirs and assigns forever eight slaves (to wit) Old Cate, black Dick, Brafford, Peter, Murrier and Dosha, one horse called the Grey coalt, my cart and four oxen, two cows and calves, two sows and pigs and also all my land and plantation lying on the north side of Deep Creek, one feather bed and furniture which he has now in possession and also what household and kitchen furniture and utensils of mine that he has now in possession and also my plantation utensils.
Item I will that all the remaining part of my estate consisting of all my land (which lies on the south side of Deep Creek) slaves, stocks of all kinds, and every other part and parcel of my estate be divided into seven equal parts to be effected either by selling the land slaves etc or by selling off at the discretion of my executors and the one seventh part of the same I desire may be kept in the hands of my executors and trustees and that they deal out the same to my daughter Sarah Bottom and the heirs of her body at their discretion provided that if anything of the aforesaid one seventh part should remain in the hands of the aforesaid executors as trustees after my daughter Sarah Bottom's death, that the same be equally divided among all the children born of her body their heirs etc and the remaining six parts I will to be equally divided among my children named John, Asa, Isaac, Elizabeth, James and William their heirs.
Item I will that nothing herein contained be misconstrued for want of term or form in law,------I do hereby constitute and appoint one of my two friends Simion Walton and Abraham Hatchett and my son Isaac Oliver executors of this my last will and testament for witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of February 1787.
James Oliver seal Sealed and Delivered In the Presence of John Howson, David Craddock, John Howson Jr at a court held for Amelia County the 27th day of April 1787 this will was exhibited into court and proved by the oaths of John Howson, David Craddock and John Howson Junr the witnesses thereto sworn by Isaac Oliver and Abraham Hatchett two of the executors therein named and was ordered to be recorded and upon the motion of the said executors who entered into and acknowledged bond with security and the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate in due form of the said estate and at another court held for the said 23rd day of August following sworn to by Semion Walton one other executor thereto who having entered interest unto and acknowledged bond with security as the law directs certificate is granted him for obtaining as probate thereof in due form.
Test. G. Hohm M DC
Will Abstract of James Oliver, 27 February 1787 from the website of John Pritchett (http://www.virginians.com)
To granddaughters Frances Bottom and Patty Forrest.
To son James Oliver 200 acres in Halifax and I lend a Negro slave named Bob during his natural life and after his death I give the said slave to Benjamin Oliver, the son of the aforesaid James Oliver.
I have already given property to my sons and daughters to wit: John Oliver, Asa Oliver, Isaac Oliver, James Oliver, William Oliver, Elizabeth Forrest, and Sarah Bottom, land below deep creek.
To son Richard Oliver slaves and plantation on north side of Deep Creek.
Links to Other Related Sites
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