Once again using a suggestion from last year! But it fits. My Denson ancestors certainly saw some new horizons. His parents die in England and he becomes an indentured servant, sailing for Virginia. Here is their story:
The following was taken from a book entitled "The Surnames of Scotland" by George F. Black PhD. "DENSON, Sir James Macgregor, dean of Lismore or Argyll, a Pope's knight of the end of the fifteenth and beginning of the sixteenth centuries and well known compiler of the collection of Gaelic verse known as the Dean of Lismores Book, left descendants in Perthshire , who are traced under the patronymic of Macindene or Deneson for some generations after his time. (Archaeologia Scotica, III, p. 317)......... ........ Donald M'Coule McIndeane and Douglas Denesoun M'Gregor, 1589, were son and grandson of the dean of Lismore. The name survives as Denson and perhaps as Dennison, though this latter name is more likely to be a shortening of Dennistoun." One line of thought is that "Denson" is an English translation of a Scottish patronymic, i.e., where the son takes the father's given name as his last name and adds "son" to it. In this case, the Scots name "MichYn eden" translates as "Son of Yneden", or shortened to "Denson". NO guarantees!
As in so many family histories, there is a rumor that there were three brothers. In this case, John, William and Nathan Denson, brothers and reportedly cousins of Charles I of England and vigorous supporters of his cause in the 1642-45 Civil War, fled to Wales after Charles' army was defeated at Naseby in 1645. They left for America in 1646 landing in Virginia. No proof of this, of course. (And if he was indeed one of the 3 brothers who came to America after Charles I was defeated, it is quite surprising that he became Puritans or Quakers. The Puritans had supported Oliver Cromwell in his quest to defeat Charles I.)
But there was a William Denson who came to America in 1637/38. His family was supposedly Scotch and were entitled to bear arms, and may be from Loch Tay, Scotland.
This William Denson may be the William who was baptized in St. Martin in the Fields on 18 June of 1620. If so, he was the son of John Denson (who was baptized 23 March 1594/5 at St. Margaret, Westminster of St. Martin in the Fields, Westminster) and his wife, Elizabeth. This John Denson was son of William Denson (buried 8 Sep. 1645) of St. Margaret, Westminster.
John and Elizabeth also had children, Helen (Ellenor), bpt. 14 August 1616 and buried on 23 August 1616, St. Martin; John (Joh'nes), bpt. 4 Dec. 1617 St. Martin; Gulielmus (William), bpt. 18 June 1620; unnamed child buried 7 Jan. 1623/4 at St. Martin (infans abortiva Elizabethe Dens on ux'Joh'is); Elizabeth, bpt. 14 April 1625, buried 1 Oct. 1625 St. M artin; Humphrey bpt. 21 Jan. 1626/7, buried 31 July 1628 at St. Martin, and Josias bapt. 26 May 1629 at St. Martin's.
In the same parish were baptised Jacobus Dennison on 2 Jan 1630/1, son of Roberti et Annae; Phannela Danson, 30 May 1631, and Henrici Danson, 16 November 1634; children of Henerici et Sarae. Henry and Sarah also had Maria bpt. 8 Dec 1639 and William bpt 27 Mar 1642. Robertus son of Henrici and Sara was buried 18 Oct 1636. St. Martin in the Fields was a large and densely populated parish in the City of Westminster, west of London.
At the age of 10 he was orphaned, with death of his parents in 1630. I have found no information about William from this date until he leaves for America. On February 14, 1637, he departed Bristol, England and came to the British Colony of Virginia as an indentured servant (also known as a headright) to one Robert Pitts, settling in Nansemond (now Isle of Wight) County.
Isle of Wight was a new settlement. Captain Christopher Lawne and Sir Richard Worslet, Knight baronet, and their associates, arrived in Jamestown on 27 April 1619, with one hundred settlers. They settled near the mouth of a creek on the south side of the James River, still known as La Creek or Lyon's Creek, which, in 1642, made the dividing line between Isle of Wight and Surry County. During the first 100 years of the settlement, a grant of 50 acres was given for the importation of every emigrant. (About 1635, a George HARDY was granted 300 acres on Lawne's Creek which bordered on Alice Bennett's land.) In 1634, the colony was divided into 8 shires or counties, one of which was Worrosquiyacke, afterwards known as Isle of Wight.
On 14 February 1637, William Pitts was granted 550 acres of land in Isle of Wight County, Virginia for his "personal adventure" and for the transportation of 18 persons into the colonies. One of these persons was William Denson. "Robert Pitts (Pitt) merchant (granted) 550 acres (in) Isle of Wight Co., 14 Feb. 1637. About 3 and a half miles up New Towne haven River, opposite land of William Denham now in the occupation of said Pitts and near land of Thomas Bush. Due for his person and transportation of 10 persons: William Denson, Edward Harewell, Richard Gaunt, Edward Butler, Francis Burly, Nathaniel Carter, Henry Symons, William Seldome, Richard Burges, Richard Groves (first written Graves)
William worked off his indenture and about 1649, he married Francis Latham. No proof as yet but people are documenting her parents as Simon and Elizabeth based on an English baptismal record. It states that Francis Latham, Female, was baptized 18 Jan. 1630 at Bletsoe, Bedford, England, daughter of Simon and Elizabeth Latham. This is NOT PROVEN!
After completing his indenture (probably 5 to 7 years), he continued to work on the Robert Pitts Plantation.
Their first child, Francis Elizabeth was born the first of the last month, 1651.
A son, William, was born on the 25th of the 11th month in 1653.
On September 6, 1657, he petitioned the local court as a "gentleman" to receive 400 acres of land on the western branch of the Nansemond River, in Nansemond County (which was formed from part of Isle of Wight County in 1640), adjoining land of a John Garrett. His land was located in what was then Upper Norfolk, Nansemond County (Nansemond County was formed from Isle of Wight County in 1639-40.), Virginia, lying on an arm of the "Western Branch of Nansemond River, called Indian Creek". A marginal note states that the patent was renewed in William's name by Order of the Quarter Court, March 27, 1661.
Daughter Elizabeth was born 11th of the eighth month, 1657.
Katherine joined the family on the fourth day of the eighth month, 1659.
He was a Burgess from Upper Norfolk from 1659-1660, and their meetings were in "James Cittie." William may also have served as Burgess in 1650. He is listed in records as a Quaker, belonging to the Lower Virginia Meeting. However, it was impossible for a Quaker to hold the office of Burgess so he must have joined the church about 1660.
The area where they lived was one of the few locations in the new Colonies that permitted Quakers to worship without fear of reprisals or persecution. According to early Quaker records, he founded the Chuckatuck Quaker Meeting House near where he resided, one of the oldest Quaker Meeting Houses in the new colonies. The Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting is one of the oldest in the country. (When constructed, the originally Meetinghouse was located somewhere along present-day Highway 32, west of Suffolk City and near the border with Isle of Wight County. Unfortunately, there are no physical remains of it today. When constructed, the originally Meetinghouse was located somewhere along present-day Highway 32, west of Suffolk City and near the border with Isle of Wight County. Unfortunately, there are no physical remains of it today.) The Meetinghouse was last mentioned in quaker records in 1769 and the cause of its demise, is believed to have been a large-scale movement of Quakers from Virginia to North Carolina as a result of the religious persecution that began anew with the restoration of the monarchy in England after Cromwell's reign.
According to the Encyclopedia of America Quaker Genealogy: Virginia, William Denson, gentleman, lived on the Western Branch of the Nansemond River in Isle of Wight County and was a member of the Pagan Creek Meeting and was among the men to whom, on 10 May 1672, George Fox wrote his letter ("sent from Elizabeth River to friends in Nansemund") which authorized the establishment of "a General Meeting" and a Quarterly Meeting. The letter read in part, " ffriend Wmarry Denson, Wmarry Yarrett, John Porter, George Kemp, Thomas Jordan, Edward Perkin (son), Wmarry Pop e, Robert Laur (Lawrence who settled near Bennett's?), Thomas Hollowell, Levin Buffkin. ffriends ye above mentioned [are] to keep a man's meeting once a quarter accordg to the paper that William Denson hath, whose paper declared ffriends had appointed the men's meeting, and if John Fowler's house be to farre off then ye may appoint it at Thomas Hollowell's or other places as you may see most convenient, and William Yarrett may send to that little meeting above Jamestown, if there be any man there that they may know who it is, and if there be any other faithful friends that ye know off ye may make then acquainted with ye meeting, so that once a quarter ye and they may meet to gather in the power and wisdom of God..."
George Fox was the founder of the Quaker religion. His message was that people should stop disputing about Christ and obey him. He was arrested for speaking his beliefs and disrupted a sermon. At the trial for this act, Judge Bennett fixed upon his movement the word Quaker after Fox asked him to quake before the Lord. He met and married Margaret Fell, who becomes the chief organizer of the Society of Friends. From 1658-1660, the first organizational foundation is laid — plans were worked out for holding meeting for worship, for simple affairs of business, for recording births and deaths, for collections to care for the poor, for those in prison and for those who were engaged in publishing truth. Arrangements were drawn up for dealing with those who walked disorderly and for the general care of the flock and the simple form of Quaker marriage took shape. A 1661 Nottingham court decision made legal the marriage ceremony. People would come to Quaker worship services to hear him speak as he did until the end of his life, but he taught them to value the silent waiting for God. The worship service became a new type of group mysticism. In 1662, the Quaker Act passes, making being a Quaker a cause of imprisonment in England. In 1667, William Penn becomes a Quaker. In 1672, George Fox, founder of the Quaker movement, visited the Virginia Puritans in Nansemond and succeeded in converting most of them to his faith, including Bennett. Fox records arriving on the 8th of November 1672.
On September 6, 1661, William was granted 450 acres of land up Indian Creek, a branch of the western branch of the Nansemond River, after transporting nine people (a headright of 50 acres per person) as indentured servants to Virginia, presumably from England.
His house on Nansemond Sound in Virginia may still be standing--not clear yet
Sarah was born the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, 1665.
William and Francis' son, John was born the "five and twentieth day of the third month, 1666."
Their last son, Joseph was born the fourteenth day of the eleventh month, 1669.
William death is recorded in the Chuckatuck Monthly Meeting Records:
"William Denson Elder Departed this Life ye Eight day of ye first month 1676"
Early Quakers were buried on their own land or in Meeting House cemeteries in graves marked with simple fieldstones if marked at all. So there is no stone or marker for he or Frances.
William's will was filed in Isle of Wight County, Virginia on 9 April 1677. It was dated 15 November 1675. It reads as follows:
I, William Denson, of the Isle of Wight County, in Virginia, being at present very weak and sick in body but strong in sense and memory, if it hath pleaseth Almighty God to take me out of this present life, do dispose of my wordly estate as followeth:
First - I give unto every one of my children the balance of five shillings to each of them to be paid in English goods.
Next - I give unto my loving wife, Frances Denson, all of the rest of my movable estate in general to dispose of for her own use and to the children as she in her discretion shall see fit.
Next - I give unto my son William Denson and to my son James Denson all of my land to be equally divided betwixt them after their mother's decease, and when the division is made, my son, William to have the first choice. In meantime, it is my will that my wife enjoy the land during her life, only my two sons aforesaid shall have the liberty to plant and make crops thereupon for their maintenance during all the time of their mother's life, notwithstanding anything to the contrary here mentioned.
Next - It is my will that after my wife's decease, my daughter Frances and my daughter Katherine shall be living and unmarried, either one or both of them, that they then shall have, each of them, a particular interest in the land, housing, and orchard for a dwelling place and to make a crop of corn and tobacco for their maintenance and not be stinted of their due share of good land and housing as the plantation shall afoard, always provided they claim no more land, each of them, than what a practical person may manage, and that this is to be allowed to them notwithstanding anything to the contrary hereunto mentioned, so long as they live unmarried, but if either of them shall marry, then their interest in the land is to pass from them unto my two sons aforesaid, and also it is my will that the first foal that falls from my mare shall be given to my daughter Katherine, but if it not be a mare foal, then if she please may stay until a mare falls, otherwise "take" it as it comes, and this to be notwithstanding anything to the contrary here mentioned. And I do make my loving wife Executrix of this my last Will and Testament.
Witnesseth in my own hand and dated this 15th of October, 1675.
Signed and sealed in the presence of Nathan Raugh, William Scot, Jun., and William Smith (his mark)
Probate:
Mr. Jeremiah Exum is granted administration in behalf of James Denson, on the goods and chattles of Wm. Denson, dec.d Hugh Davis who had last Court an order to administer the said estate consenting thereto and Col. Edmund Godwin becoming security for this administration. Dec. 10, 1694 Bk. 1 p. 62
Jere. Exum, appraiser of the estate of Mr. Wm. Denson, Feb. 5, 1694 Book 1, page 13 filed the inventory.
In 1649, Frances Denson was the first to sign a letter written by the Women's meeting of the Western Branch of the Nansemond River in Virginia to the Women's meetings in England, in the north Country at Swarthmore, Londan, or Bristol. It read as follows:
From our womans' meetting in the western Branch of Nansemond River in Virginia; to the woman's meetings in England, in the north Country at Swarthmore, London, Bristol, of case where wee ma bee may be recieved in the House of God,
Dear so well beloved friends, mothers & sisters, whome the Lord hath Loved, & blessed, that are called & chosen of God, created a new in Christ Jesus, unto good works, & you know him that was a man of sorrow, & well aquainted with grief, but he hath not left you comfortless; but hath raised you from death in life; & your harts have been made light in God the Lord, you have drunk of that wine, that makes the harts of the righteous glad, & the Oyle that maketh a cheerfull countenance hath been powred upon you, which runeth down from the crown of the head, unto the sowle of the foot, & know him peace passes all understanding; and your feet are set at liberty to walk in the paths of Righteousness; for his name is unto you as a strong towre; & you know all those that are of the - -- of Abraham and kept safe in the power and strength of the Lord; & they are found doing of their first works, and set together in Heavenly places to judg the world & all unrighteousness, & all the falln Angells & Apostles which are --- from the power of God; & do deny men & women meetting and the term of Godlyness; as if Christ had never been formed in them; if they fail upon the rock, it will break them, but our God is a God of mercy & defies not the death of a siner; but rather that they should return from their wickedness, & seek the Lord in true Repentance, & amendment of life; and so they may finde mercy in the day of judgement, & be jaued, & those that are born of God & and do walk in the Light of the Lamb they are like minded unto him & they have the high praises of God in their mouthes, & the tow eged sword in their hands. & unto this powr & authority which ye have received from above, by the powring out of the Spirit of the Lord, are we by the Grace of God, made willing to submitt, in the comly order of the truth, unto ceury ordenance, that is according unto Godlyness, & we could gladly receiv aduertisment from you that we are antiant, & have been long experienced in the work of the Lord & wisdom of God; but we are a poor & contemptable people, in the sseemation of the world.
Francis (Latham) Denson received a land grant on 15 December 1649, located in Isle of Wight County. and described as 200 acres on the south side of Black Creek. Beg.g &c. in the line of the said Denson's other land.
In 1692, Francis Denson is referred to as a "widdo Woman" in Quaker records.
On 9 April 1695, she appointed her son, James Denson, to be her attorney to defend herself and Brian Mac Williams in a lawsuit.
Jeri Exum, witness to a power of attorney from Frances --X-- Denson to her son, James Denson in a suit depending betwenn Robert Scott and said Francis Denson. April 8, 1696. Bk. 1p. 208.
John Denson, James Denson, Francis Denson and Francis Bridell 9th day of 9th month of the year 1699 attested to the marriage of Jacob Riskasis and Mary Exum at the Chuckatuck Meeting house.
Thomas Page and Isabell Lawrence married at the house of Francis Denson on the 15th of the 1st month of 1702.
1702 Meeting House Chuckatuck, Nansemond, Virginia The Quakers contributed tobacco to build a meeting house. This shows the names and amounts of tobacco each contributed. It was built on one acre of land purchased on Jun 8, 1702 by William Scott, Francis Bridle, John Denson, John Sikes, and Isaac Ricks. They purchased it from Francis Hutchins and his son Richard.
Frances Denson gave 500 pounds. James Denson 400, and Jno Denson 300.
1702/03, 1, 15, Thomas, son Thomas, of the Western Branch of the Isle of Wight Co.; marry in the house of Frances Denson, widow, Isabell Lawrence, daughter Henry of the Western Branch of the Co. of Nansemand.
Francis died 2 May 1709 and was buried at Chuckatuck Friends Monthly Meeting in Suffolk, Suffolk City, Va.
The will of Frances, proven February 1708/9, reads as follows:
I, Frances Denson, of the Isle of Wight County in Virginia, being at present sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect memory, and considering _______ self as it is appointed unto all mankind to die not knowing how soon, I must lay down this my earthly Tabernakle, I do therefore b y virtue of those presents, constitute and appoint this my last will an d Testament, my soul I bequeath unto God, and my body to be buried in Christian like manner.
First - It is my wish that after my debts and funeral expenses be fully satisfied by my executors hereinafter named,
2dly - I give unto my loving son, James Denson, one of my young negroes called by the name of Nora (Noro?) and unto his heirs forever.
3dly - I give unto my loving son, John Denson, my negro man called by the name of Ralph, likewise my Negro woman called by the name of Joan, a nd unto his heirs forever, and furthermore, I give unto my son, John my handmill (?)
4thly - I give unto my granddaughter, of Sarah Merrideth, the wife of Jos. Merideth, my Negro woman called by the name of Maria, and unto her heirs forever.
5thly - I give unto my granddaughter, Frances Denson, daughter of m s on James Denson, my Negro girl called by the name of Jugg, likewise fur thermore, my brass kettle, two iron pots, and my sha (Shawl?)
6thly - I give unto my grandson, John Denson, the son of my son Jno Denson one young Negro boy called by the name of Minor, unto his heirs forever.
7thly - I give unto my grandson, William Denson, the son of my son Jno Denson, one young Negro boy called by the name of Emery, unto his heirs forever.
8thly - I give unto my grandson, John Korby (Kensey) the son of my daughter, Katherine Korby, my young negro boy called by the name of Divor, unto his heirs forever, likewise my bed and furniture thereunto belonging, and the said Korby shall be capable to warrant the same at the hand s of my executor when he shall attain the age of twenty years, and furthermore two iron pots I give unto the said Jno Korby.
9thly - I give to my three grandchildren of Jos. Merideth, to wit by name of Joseph, Wm, and Sarah, each of them, a cow a piece.
10thly - And for all the rest of my movable estate, both within doors and without, I do appoint and ordain my two sons (to wit) James Denson and John Denson, to be my whole and sole executors, and to make an equal division between them both, notwithstanding any hereabove to the contrary, this being my full Will and Testament, renouncing all others.
Our line continues through William and Frances' son, James Denson, who was born on the 11th of the eighth month, 1657.
John Denson, James Denson, Francis Denson and Francis Bridell on the 9th day of 9th month of the year 1699, attested to the marriage of Jacob Riskasis/Rickesis and Mary Exum, daughter of Jeremiah Exum of Isle of Wight County.
On 24 Oct 1701, James purchased 17 acres in Isle of Wight County "on the head of the branches of the Indian, which creek issueth out of the Western branch of Nansemond river."
To all &c. whereas &c. Now Know yee that I the said Ffrancis Nicholson Esqr., Governer &c Doe with the advice and consent of the Councill of State accordingly give and Grant unto James Denson seventeen acres of land in the lower parish of Isle Wight County lying on ye heads of the branches of the Indian Creek which creek issueth out of the western branch of Nansemond River Beginning at a hickory a corner tree of a parcell of land that the said Denson now lives on and soe running thence North seventy-five and a halfe degrees west fifty two pole to a small pine standing in the line of Henry Gaye's land and soe running along the sd. line north four degrees and three quarters east one hundred and eight pole to a small pine standing in the aforesd. Densons line and soe along the said line south nineteen degrees East to the beginning the said Land being due unto ye said James Denson by and for the transportation of one person into this Colony whose name is to be in the Records mentioned under this patentto have and to hold *c to be held &c Yeilding and paying &c. Provided &c. Given und.r My hand and the seale of the Colony this 24th day of october anno dom.
1701 James Denson his patent for 17 acres} FFr: Nicholson of land in Isle of Wight County} E: Jenings Wm Jarman
A week later, on October 31, James also purchased 420 acres Isle of Wight Co., VA
Beg.g &c. corner tree of Thomas Houlder's land, in Colo. Bridger's line on Corawaugh Swamp.)George &c. To all &c Know ye that for diverse good causes & considerations but more especially in consideration of the sum of forty five shillings of good & lawfull money for our use paid to our Receiver General of our Governor in this our colony of Virginia WE have given grante and confirmed and by these presents for us our heirs and succesors do give grant and confirm unto James Denson of Isle of Wight County one certain tract or parcell of land containing four hundred & twenty acres of land lying and being in the lower parish pf the County aforesaid and bounded as followeth to wit, beginning at a red oake a Corner tree of Thomas Houlders land in Coll. Bridgers line on Corowaugh Swamp then by Houlder South? east two hundred & twenty two pole to a lightwood stump then north fifty degrees east two hundred & two pole to a pine then north sixty five degrees east forty one pole to a pine a corner of Rob.t Johnsons thence by Johnson's line east by north two hundred & forty pole to a black oak then north twenty four degrees East one hundred & nine pole to a red oak then north forty eight degrees west one hundred & nine pole to a gum saplin a line tree of John Powells then by Powells line South twenty degrees west ninety four pole to a pine & south west by west two hundred thirty pole to a white oake then north seventy five degrees west one hundred forty six pole to a pine a line tree of William Powells then by Powells line south west by west nine pole to a red oak & west by north thirty four pole to a black oak a?? north by west one hundred & six pole to a dead red oak in John Watkins line then by Watkins west by north forty pole to Coll. Bridgers line and by his line south thirty degrees west one hundred seventy six pole to the first Station -With all &c. To have hold &c. To be held &c yeilding & paying &c provided &c. In Witness &c. Witness our trusty & well beloved Alexander Spotswood our Lt. Governer &c. at Williamsburgh under ye seal of our Sd. Colony the thirty first day of October one thousand seven hundred & sixteen in ye third year of our reign - A. Spotswood
On 9 Dec. 1703, James witnessed the will of Thomas Hampton (along with John Denson and Francis Bridell)
In the Wight County records is this item: "Capt Robt Lucy agt James Thigpen. Also Thos Coston sub sherr of this Co. to pay James DENSON 300 lb tobo if Abraham Storey does not app at next Court to answer suit. Also judgt to Tho. Shaw agt Capt. Jas Bisse high sherr 400 lb tobo for nonapp of Marc Davis. Also Marc Davis vs. Jas Cooper dismissed, neither appearing." And a short time later, it becomes apparent that Storey did not appear to answer the suit. "Judgt. to James Denson (or Dawson) agt the sherr for nonapp of Abrah Storey for 300 lb tob."
James Denson, 17acs, Low. Par. of Isle of Wight Co; on brs of Indian Creek; out of the W. br. of Nansemond Riv; beg. at land he now liveth on; along Henry Gayes land, & 24 Oct. 1701; p. 419. Trans. of : Wm. Jarman. (Cavaliers and Pioneers, Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants, abstracted by Nell Marion Nugent; Volume 3: 1685-1732. Virginia State Library, Richmond, 1979; p. 54)
Patent 419: To all __ whereas we now know yoo that I, the said Francis Nicholson, Esq. governor, doo with the advice and comfort of the Councill of State accordingly give and grant unto James Denson, seventeen acres of land in the lower parish of Isle Wight County lying on yea ___ of the branch of the Indian Creek which creek issueth out of the western branch of Nansemond river beginning at a hicory a corner foot of a parcell of land that the said Denson now liveth on and soo running south and north seventy-five and a half a degree west 52 pole to a small pine stan ding in his line of Henry Gayds land and so running along the said line north four degrees and three quarters and one hundred and eight poles to a small pine standing in the aforesaid Denson's line and soo along the said line south nineteen degrees east to the beginning of the said land being and undo yoo the said James Denson by and for the transportation of one person into this colony whose name is to be in said records mentionds under the patent to have and to hold era cedes, holding and yielding, paying era provided era given and paid my hand and the seal of this Colony this twenty-fourth day of October anno domo 1701. FFr. Nicholson Witnesses E. Gunings Wm. Fruman
“James Denson the son of Frances Denson of the Isle wight county widdow woman and Sarah Dryton of the County Aforesd did publish their marriage before a meeting of men & woman friends at our Publick meeting House in Chuckatuck"
This is to certify the truth unto all people whom it may or shall concern that James Denson the sonn of Francis Denson of the Isle Wight County widdow woman and Sarah Tayler of the county aforesaid, having Intentions of Marriage according to the Ordinances of God and his Joyning did publish their marriage Before a Meeting of Men and Women friends at our Publick meeting house in Chuckatuck to bed considered of on the thirteenth day of the 9th month of ye year 1707 that so inquiry might be made between the time whether they were clear of all Others and coming before the meeting a second and third time at our above Publick meeting house did publish again and they being found clear of all others They have now proceeded and have taken each other in marriage in the Publick Meeting House in the Western Branch and in ye presence of God and before this assembly according to the Law of God the practice of holy son of God recorded in ye scriptures of truth and they have promised before Godand this assembly to live faithfully together husband and wife until death shall them seperate according to Gods honorable Marriage which we have hereunto sett our hands this 15 day of the 11 month in ye year 1707 James Denson Sarah Denson
And to the witnesses of the same whose names are underwritten: Joseph Meredith, Jno Denson, J--- Exum, Isaac Rickes, Lewis Brian, Elizabeth Lawrence, Elizabeth __?__; Elizabeth Bridell, Wm. Brian, Francis Briddell, Thomas Page, Robert Horning, Anne Daun
In Blackwater, Isle of Wight, another 420 acres was granted to James Denson and surveyed by Arther Allen on April 26, 1707.
Sarah and James' daughter, Francis, was born the third day of the eleventh month,1708.
On 2 May 1709, James presented his mother's will and had it recorded in Isle of Wight County.
James Denson, Junior was born about 1710, was followed by his brother, Joseph, in 1712, and their sister, Sarah, in 1714.
James Denson, 420 acres (NL), Low. Par. of Is. of Wight Co.; adj. Thomas Houlder, in Col. Bridger's line, on Corawaugh Sw; Robert Johnson; John Powell; William Powell; & John Warkins' line; 31 Oct. 1716, p. 310, 4 5 shill.
Isle of Wight County 420 acres Granted to James Denson Oct. 31, 1716
On 15 Jul 1720, James wrote his will. His wife, Sarah, was pregnant at the time. I have found no record of that child.
James died before 24 April 1721 when his widow, Sarah presented his will to the court.
I haven't gotten a copy of the entire will as yet but here is an excerpt. "James Denson: Leg.- son James; daughter Frances; daughter Sarah; son Joseph my plantation in Nansemond County, also my land in Charles City County, in Parish of Weyanoke; wife Sarah; cousin James Denson, the son of John Denson; to unborn child. Prove date: 24 Apr 1721 Witness: Richard Hutchins." He gave a slave named Sam to his "cousin" (i.e., nephew), James Denson, son of John Denson, with the proviso that John was to have the use and services of this slave during John's lifetime.
Probate items following James' death:
Denson, James Account Estate. Received by Francis Denson, orphan of James Denson; received by me, Thomas Gale, Jr., guardian of Joseph, the orphan of James Denson. Presented by Thomas Walton, Gent. Late Sheriff of this County. R. November 26. 1728
Since Sarah presented James' will on 24 April 1721, she had to have died after that date.
The story of this family continues with John and Sarah's daughter, Sarah who marries William Ashburn.
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Sources
Cavaliers and Pioneers: Abstracts of Virginia Land Patents and Grants 1 623-1666, ed. NM Nugent, Baltimore 1979, vol. 1, page 85.
The Origins of William Denson, compiled by Debrett Ancestry Research Ltd., search instigated by Donald K . Smith in November 1996
Hening's Statutes at Large, I, 527-530
Encyclopedia of America Quaker Genealogy: Virginia
Land Office Patents No. 29, 1749-1751 (v.1 & 2 p.1-532), p. 59 (Reel 27).
England, Select Births and Christenings, 1538-1975
The Valentine Papers
U.S., Quaker Meeting Records, 1681-1935 page 65
Wills and Administrations of Isle of Wight County Virginia Book 2 1719- 1800, abstracted and compiled by the Blanche Adams Chapman, 1938 Genealogical Society of Utah
Virginia, U.S., Land, Marriage, and Probate Records, 1639-1850
Charles City County, Court Orders, 1664-1665; Fragments 1650-1696John Harry Smallwood, Junior wrote a book "The Denson Family of Scott County Mississippi" as revision, update of and addendum to "The Denson Family, North Carolina to Texas" written in 1981 by Lois Kathryn Nix
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