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THE NANCE MEMORIAL
PART II
CHAPTER III
WILLIAM NANCE
Nothing is known of the ancestry of this William, except that an old grandmother in the family was under the impression that his father was Richard Nance. This, however, is uncertain. Richard nance, head of Chapter IV, had a son, William, but the name Reuben does not appear among his seven sons.
This particular William had several sons, and the names remembered being Clement, John and Reuben. Nothing is known of Clement or John. Clement may be the head of Part I. The author is inclined to believe he is. First, because they each had a William for a father. Second, because they came from the same part of Virginia; Clement, of Part I, living in the extreme southwest part of Pittsylvania County, and Reuben coming from Henry County, adjoining Pittsylvania on the west. Third, from the striking resemblance of the two families to the present day. Fourth, from dates. Clement of Part I had children born as early as 1776, and Reuben had one, not his first, born about 1780. Thus their fathers were born not far from 1830. John may be the head of Chapter V.
Reuben Nance, the remaining son, and trunk of the family below, lived in Patrick and Henry Counties, Virginia. In October of 1779, he was made Second Lieutenant of Captain Brice Martin's Company from Henry County, and he resided in Henry County in 1782. He was a neighbor and intimate friend of Patrick Henry. Upon his return from the convention for the adoption of the Federal Constitution, Patrick Henry said to Mr. Nance, that it, the Constitution, would prove a rope of sand.
His first wife was Amy Williamson, who bore him fourteen children. The second wife was Nancy Brown, and she was the mother of thirteen children, thus rounding out twenty-seven children for Reuben, and giving him the blue ribbon for the largest family of the name, as far as the author has ever heard. The entire twenty-seven are said to have been reared, and most of them married, but only the names of eleven have come to the author. O, that we might have the other sixteen.
Nearly all emigrated to Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida and Alabama, in their wilderness state, having to meet and deal with the savages.
This is one of the most interesting families the author has studied, because of the possibilities above, and its complications below. Peyton Skipper Nance, limb, and one of the twenty-seven, married his first cousin, Miss Eleanor Nance Simms. Their daughter, Mary Anne, married Spottswood A. Nance, twig in the Richard Nance family, Chapter IV. (There is no evidence but the name that they were of kin.) Then their son, Spottswood A. Nance, Junior, married his first cousin on his father's side, Miss Lantha A. Nance. And further, Miss Eleanor Nance Simms is said to have had two sisters who married two brothers of the said Peyton Skipper Nance.
Nothing is known of the family of these Simms sisters. Their mother must have been a sister of Reuben. This opens up other possibilities. What a field for a genealogist with time and money.
Very little in known of the relative ages of these twenty-seven children. Joseph was of the older set. John was his full brother. Stephen was of the younger and a half brother. All else is conjecture, or guess. The known names of the twenty-seven are given below as limbs:
Limbs
Joseph,
William,
Clement,
Bird,
Isham,
John,
Edmond,
Lessenby,
Peyton Skipper,
Reuben,
Stephen.
Joseph, limb. Dr. A. L. Nance, Gainsville, Georgia, writes of him: "I recollect two of my grandfather's brothers, both from Tennessee, visiting him at the same time. Uncle Joseph was the older, a brother, and Uncle Stephen the younger one. A Baptist Minister, a half-brother."
William Nance, limb. His descendants below know very little about him, except that his father was named Reuben, and that he came to Tennessee from Virginia or North Carolina, settling in Henry County. They remember his having one brother named Bird, or Captain Bird, and another named Reuben. He was the father of six children, named below as branches:
Branches Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Mary, h,...............{Hattie
{Chas. McClosky {Frank
{
{Elmira Frances,h, {Elizabeth
{John McDole............{Thos. J.
{
{Jas. Lafayette, w......{Herbert
{Rebecca Townley
{
{Thos. Jefferson, killed at Chickamauga
{
{Wm. Joseph
{Taylorville, IL
{never married
{
{John Henry
Martin Nance, w, {Windsor, IL
Eliz. Chisenhall........{never married
Lived in IL; died { {Cordelia Alice, h, {Paul
in TN { {d. 1900................{Glendale
{ {B. F. Bryant {Eva Irine
{ {
{Eld. Andrew {Dora Belle, h,.........{Clifford
{Jackson, w, 1846.......{Ed. Y. Puckett
{Sarah Alice Tolen {
{ {Mary Rosella, h,
{ {Emmett Wacaser
{ {
{ {Wilford Oscar, w
{ {Ethyl Birch
{ {
{ {Violet Sylva
{Winfield Scott
{died at age 21
----------------------------------------------
Patrick, of whom nothing is known
----------------------------------------------
{Wm. Henry..............{no issue
{Taladega, AL
{ {Wm. H., w,.............{James R.
{ {Louise G. {McComb, MS
{ { Rodgers
{ { [ William E., son ]
{ {J. J. Nance [of James R. above]
{ {
{ {Jas. W., Jr.,w,
{ {Laura Rodgers
{Jas. W. Nance, w {
{___? Hunt..............{Jonathan, w,
{ {Eugene Rodgers
{ {Helena, AR
{ {
{ {Turner H.
{ {Talladega, AL
{ {Ruth
{ {Lewis J.
{ {Rev. Walter B.
{ {China
{
{ {Edward
{ {Joseph
{Martha J., h, {Mary
{Dr. T.G. Black.........{Briggs
{Clayton, IL {Hattie
Joseph Nance............{ {Wells
{
{ {Finis K.
{Andrew Jackson.........{John J.
{
{ {Sam'l B.
{Tabitha J., h, {Effie A.
{___? Wadley............{Marq.
{Nashville, TN {Julia
{
{ {Belle
{Thos. Jefferson........{Hall
{ {Jennie
{
{ {Alexander Campbell
{Mary, h, {Henry Clay
{___? Spear.............{Topeka, KS
{ {
{ {Mary Pheobe, h,
{ {___? McGinley
{ {Topeka, KS
{
{Sam'l Joseph...........{Albert
{Robertson Fork, {Lulu
{TN
----------------------------------------------
{Thos. J................{Eva
{Lawson, MO
{
{Jefferson Amzi,w. {John B.
{1823...................{Wilkins B.
Reuben Nance............{Matilda Abernathy {Mary (Duncan)
{Excelsior Springs, MO {Martha (Wright)
----------------------------------------------
Henry, nothing is known
----------------------------------------------
Talbith, nothing is known
The above family are badly scattered, being found in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Illinois, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Tennessee and Texas. One is in China, a missionary of the cross. From what the author knows of them, they are a superior family, devoted to their kindred, and above all, to their God, and the church of which they are members. As far as known they are members of the Christian Church. He has had much correspondence with J. A. Nance, twig above, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri. He saw my name in one of our church papers, and wrote asking if I were a son of his Uncle Martin, who had removed from Tennessee to Illinois at an early day, and has been lost to his family. About the same time, the author saw the name of Elder A. J. Nance, twig above, in one of our church papers. He wrote to him, and to his surprise he said his father was Martin Nance, that his father left his kin in Tennessee at an early day and came to Illinois. Thus he was enabled to discover and restore first cousins. This is one of several similar instances that has come to the author. These cousins have become fast friends. The above cousins, and Samuel Joseph, a cousin to each, all so much resemble our family that they will be taken for a Nance wherever found.
Elder A. J. Nance, twig above, and whose likeness appears herewith, and who is mentioned in the sketch below, is a personal and valued friend of the author. It is a great pleasure to me and my family to entertain him. Anyone would know he was a Nance, by his looks and by his conversation. We are frequently taken for brothers. Claud F. Witty, editor of the Christian Helper, Marshalltown, Iowa, has sent the following tribute, which is much better than could have been prepared by the author from the meager material on hand:
"Elder A. J. Nance was born June 19, 1846, in Shelby County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood. His boyhood days were spent on a farm, where in close communion with nature, he developed not onaly a strong, healthy body and a stronger mind, but a very strong character, which is, no doubt, the index to the great success he has had in his chosen field of labor, namely the Christian Ministry, he having begun to preach soon after obeying the Savior in early life. A careful study of God's Word convinced him that Alexander Campbell and the Pioneers were right when they adopted the motto, "Speak where the Bible speaks, and be silent where the Bible is silent," but his strong reasoning powers combined with his supreme reverence for God and His Word, have shielded him from the follies of many others who have adopted the same motto. For a number of years Mr. Nance has occupied a prominent position on the staff of the Octographic Review, published at Indianapolis, Indiana. He has baptised more than four thousand people with his own hands, and has traveled from Ohio on the east to the Great Salt Lake on the west. Elder Nance is a deep thinker, a clear, profound and logical reasoner; has the courage of his convictions; is generous in all matters of opinion, but very exacting in matters of faith; always sees the bright side of things, and is one of the most entertaining men it has been our good fortune to meet."
Jefferson Amzi Nance, twig above, was born in Tennessee, November, 1823. He was married in 1846, and moved to Missouri in 1854, where he has resided ever since, farming until too old for active work. He is now retired, quite feeble, and nearly eighty-one. He was Elder in the Christian Church for many years. His son, Thos. J., has been Elder in the same church for many years.
Clement, limb. Nothing is known of him.
Bird, or Captain Bird, limb, an old gentleman, died in Richmond, Missouri, some years since, aged about ninety. He was too old to write or to remember much distinctly, when the author first learned of him. Jefferson Amzi Nance, twig of the table above, of Excelsior Springs, Missouri, used to visit him, and they claimed kinship, but could not be certain. Now it is certain. Captain Bird said there were twenty-one boys and seven girls in the twenty-eight.
Isham Nance, limb. Nothing is known of him.
John Nance, limb. His wife was Christiana Ryan. He was the father of nine children, named below as branches. He was a son of the first wife of his father. He died during the Civil War, at the age of eighty-four, and therefore must have been born about 1780. (This is the only date giving indication what time of the world's history these twenty-seven lived.) Dr. A. L. Nance, Gainsville, Georgia, has given me all I have as to this, his grandfather. Georgia has ever been their home.
Branches Twigs Buds Blossoms
Reuben..................{Joseph
{Patrick
----------------------------------------------
{Wesley B, w............{Almon L., Jr.
{Eva Hughes
{Dr. Almon L., w, {Gainsville, GA
{Mary M. Camp...........{
{Gainsville, GA {Alice C., h,...........{Fredric D.
{ {F. H. Pfeffer
John Wesley, w, { {Mankato, MN
Susan Lampkin.... {
{ {Marvin, on the lecture platform
{Alice A. C, h,.........{
{A. W. Williams, {Maude, h
{Rev. (M.E.S.) {___? Trotter
{Chattanooga, TN
----------------------------------------------
Madison, died during the Civil War
Susan
Nicy
Nancy
Elizabeth
Sarah
Mary
Dr. Almon Lewis Nance, twig above, was born in Jackson County, Georgia, October 17, 1841. He entered the State University at Athens, Georgia, in 1858, where he remained until the beginning of the Civil War, completing the freshmen, sophomore and junior courses. The first call, he with two-thirds of his class enlisted in the first company that left Athens, April 1861. He remained to the close of the war, surrendering at Appomatox in 1865. Space forbids the mentioning of many interesting events in four years of strife, but I must mention one instance which shows what material the doctor is made of. Once, on the march alongside General Longstreet, the general said to the doctor, "That which you and your fourteen comrades did at Crampton Gap, or South Mountain, virtually saved the Virginia Army from annihilation."
At the close of the war, Mr. Nance chose medicine as a profession, and graduated at the Philadelphia University of Medicine and Surgery, in 1868. He has stood at the head of the profession in Georgia as a general practitioner, but for the last few years has devoted all his time to rectal troubles or diseases, enjoying a reputation in the south not equalled by any other in this line of practice.
In 1894 he was elected Secretary of State as a Reformer. He is considered one of the ablest men in the state on the financial questions of the day. The doctor has promised pictures of his grandfather, father, himself, his son, and his grandson for this work but they have not arrived.
Wesley Berrymen Nance, bud, the son, like his father and grandfather, is a great philanthropist, noted for his goodness, being loved by both rich and poor.
Edmond, limb. Nothing is known of him.
Lessenby, limb. Nothing is known of him.
Peyton Skipper Nance, limb. He married his first cousin, Miss Eleanor Nance Simms. He was a prominent Primitive Baptist minister. His seven children are named below as branches:
Branches Twigs Buds
Caroline,h,
W. W. Worrel
----------------------------------------------
Martha, h,
D. Ragan
----------------------------------------------
{Mary, h,
{C. A. Malony
{Dallas, TX
{
{Virgie A., h,
{Spotswood A., Jr., w,..........{C. H. Garrison
{Iantha A. Nance {Rhyan, Indian Terr.
{Dallas, TX {
{ {Margaret, h,
{ {J. P. Dixson
{ {Enid, OK
{ {
{ {Nicholas E., 1881
{ {Spotswood B., 1887
{
{Lucy A. Patton.................{John Albert, 1902
{2nd w,
{ {Mary E.
Mary Anne, h,...................{ {
Spotswood A. Nance {John Peyton, w,................{Minnie O., h,
{Margaret Trice {N. Duncan
{Big Rock, TN {
{ {Spotswood B., w,
{ {Kate Rodgers
{Mary Augusta, h,
{M. C. Richards.................{Haywood C.
{Hopkinsville, TN {Molly
{
{Oney L., h,....................{6 children
{J. J. Mabry {Bardwell, KY
{
{Emma Forest, h,................{7 children
{W. T. Ledford {Paducah, KY
----------------------------------------------
Oney, h,
Joe Ledford
----------------------------------------------
Reuben
----------------------------------------------
Peyton Walker...................{Mollie Earle
{Madisonville, KY
----------------------------------------------
Dr. Jeptha Greenberry
Gracey, KY
Reuben, limb, nothing is known of him.
Stephen, limb, he is one of the younger set and a Baptist minister.
(Reuben), limb, one of the twenty-seven, but his name is forgotten. He married a Miss Ingram. Their seven children are given below as branches:
Branches Twigs Buds
{Allie, h,
{William, w, {J. W. Gibson
{Eliza Craven...................{Des Moines, IA
{Savannah, MO {
{ {Arthur G.
{2nd w, E. Stevenson {Loraine
Thomas, 1822, w,................{
Elizabeth Shackelford { {Pauline, h,
{ {W. Madgett
{ {Hastings, NE
{ {
{Frank, w, {Elizabeth E., h,
{Jennie E. Morris...............{J. I. Warner
{Savannah, MO {St. Joseph, MO
{
{Sydney G.
{Lawrence F.
{Helen M.
----------------------------------------------
John
Clement
Jackson
Bird
Elizabeth
Sallie
Frank, twig above, has given me all I know of this family. He is a banker at Savannah, Missouri, being president of the Exchange Bank. He began life as a station agent for the Kansas City and St. Joseph and Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railways. He was a grocer twenty years, then took to banking.
William, twig above, has been agent for the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad at Savannah, Missouri, for forty years. His son, Arthur, bud, is assistant agent.
Branches Twigs Buds
Fred Nance......................{James..........................{John
Father not known, {Robert
one of the "27" {James
{Engineers W.A.R.R.
{Atlanta, GA
----------------------------------------------
{Harvey.........................{Edward
{ {Evansville, IA
Fleming Nance...................{William
Father not known, {
but one of the "27" {Monroe.........................{Laura, h,
{Rhodes Hill
{Atlanta, GA
CHAPTER IV
Richard Nance - Trunk
Was born (perhaps), about 1714; his wife was Mary. He no doubt went from Dinwiddie to Bedford County, Virginia, as his sons Nathaniel and Thomas came from that county. He probably spent his declining years with his son Thomas, as the Bedford records show that on March 27, 1780, he deeded eight (8) negroes and all other real and personal property to his son, Thomas.
The children of Richard and Mary Nance were Elizabeth, who married William Jones, and had one child; Mary Jones, who married John Bates, November 10, 1774. She was born September 25, 1749, and was left to the care of her grandparents, Richard and Mary Nance.
Richard and Mary Nance were also the parents of three sons; William, Nathaniel and Thomas.
Nothing further is known as to the family of Elizabeth Nance and William Jones.
Nathaniel was a planter in Dinwiddie County, and appears to have remained there. Nothing is known as to his posterity.
The other two children are given as limbs, or heads of the tables below.
William Nance - Limb Two
Was twice married. His first wife was a Hawkins. She bore him two sons, Hawkins and Mourning, and three daughters. Nothing is known as to any of these five branches.
His second wife was Mary Thorpe Hoard, widow, whom he married in 1784. They were the parents of six children, branches Thomas, Joel, Paschal, Mary M. (Ryan), and Elizabeth (Bocock), it is said settled in Kentucky, near Roaring Springs, Trigg County. Paschal never married. Thomas and Joel each reared a large family it is said. Mary had no children. Nothing is known as to the family of Elizabeth.
John is the remaining son, or branch. He remained in Bedford County, Virginia, caring for his mother in her old age. He was born in 1790 and died in 1846. His wife was Martha Estes. They were first cousins, their mothers being sisters. They were the parents of fifteen children, those growing up are named below as twigs:
Twigs Buds Blossoms Fruit
{Russell C., w,.................{James W.
{Martha Wells {Frances P.
{Clarksville, MO
{
{Lulu Preston, P.
{Mary Leighton
{
{Wm. P., w,.............{Lillian Vernon B., h,..........{Isaac S. P.
{Sarah P. {Wm. MacAfee
{Cheatwood {Paynesville, MO
{Boonsboro, VA {
{ {
{ {Julia Reese H.
{ {
{ {Florence R. T., h,.............{May-
{ {Oscar DeMott { Amonette
Thaddeus C., w, { {Washington, DC
Sallie Johnson..........{Thos. W., w,
{Mrs. Phelps............{several children
{
{Elisha, w,
{Miss Hancock...........{several children
{
{Sarah {Thaddeus H.
{ {George R.
{McHenry,1852,w {Susan C.
{Mildred M. Peters {Hubert A.
{Davis Mills, VA........{Henry E.
{ {Oscar L.
----------------------------------------------
{Mary, h,
{C. A. Maloney
{Dallas, TX
{
{Spotswood A.Jr,w {Virgie A., h,
{Iantha A. Nance........{C. H. Garrison
{Dallas, TX {Rhyan, Ind. Terr.
{ {
{ {Margaret, h,
{ {J. P. Dixon
Spotswood A., w { {Enid, OK
Mary Anne Nance.........{ {
(See page 310 for { {Nicholas E., 1881
this family in full { {Spotswood B., 1887
{
{2nd w, Lucy A.
{ Patton............{John Albert, 1902
{
{Four families
----------------------------------------------
Celia (Burnett).........{15 children
----------------------------------------------
Mary (Wade).............{11 children
----------------------------------------------
Lucinda (Wade)..........{8 children
----------------------------------------------
{Mary
{Elizabeth
{George
Edwin, w, {Roaring Springs, KY
___? Snow...............{
{Alexander
{Kate
{Belle
{Black
{Triplett
----------------------------------------------
{Alice
{John
Albert, w, {Mary
___? Whitten............{Elizabeth
{Abner
{Bunker Hill, VA
{Albert
----------------------------------------------
Eliza (Wade)............{Emma
----------------------------------------------
{Margaret Estes,h.......{5 children
{___? Jordon
{Franklin, MO
Benj. Estes { {Leslie P.
1830-1902...............{ {Benj. N.
Elizabeth { {Prewitt B.
Tinsley {Laura, h, {Reginald
{P. H. Burton...........{Wayne
{Franklin, MO {Russell
{Estherline
----------------------------------------------
Martha, h...............{Rosseau
___? Wright {Gordon
----------------------------------------------
Emma (Wright)
Stewartsville, MO
----------------------------------------------
{Iantha Adelis, h
{S. A. Nance (see above for family)
Thorpe Hoard, w.........{
___? McCabe {Mackie
{Waller
{Albon
2nd w, ___? Potts.......{Kate
{Benjamin
{Lillian
----------------------------------------------
{Gypsy
{Grady
{Lucie
{Albert W., w,..........{Willie
{___? Cressey {John
{ {Wilber
{ {Cleon
{ {Kate
John F., w, 1840 { {Richard
___? Peters.............{Wilber A., w,
Davis Mills, NA {___? Stanhagen.........{Elkins W.
{ {VA
{Mary E., h,
{___? Leftwich..........{William James
{
{Robert E., single
{Sarah E., single
The Burnett family, above, moved to Gentry and DeKalb Counties, Missouri in 1868. The Wrights went to Gentry County in 1857.
Benjamin Estes Nance, twig above, was born in Bedford County, Virginia, February 17, 1830. He died at his home, Wheatland Farm, near New Franklin, Howard County, Missouri, May 22, 1902. He was ninth in a family of fifteen children. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Tinsley in his native state in 1846. Of this union there were seven children, all but two dying in the early life. These two are named above as buds.
He came to Missouri in 1856 and settled on the farm where he spent most of his life, and where he passed away. He was a farmer and stockman all his life. He organized the Bank of New Franklin and was its president a long series of years. His success as a businessman was marked. He accumulated wealth rapidly. Endowed as he was with wonderful physical endurance, and a constitution of iron, and with all a will of indomitable cast, everything about had to move or get out ot the way of the movement which he created and directed.
He was a Missionary Baptist from early life until 1889, when he united with the Methodist Church. His home was the itenerant minister's abode. His generous hospitality was of the Virginia type. He left a large estate to his two daughters.
The above facts are gleaned largely from a lenghty obituary published in a local paper at the time of his death.
Wm. P. Nance, bud above, was born at Davis Mills, Virginia. He was educated for medicine, but the civil war coming on just before finishing his studies, he went into the war under "Stonewall" Jackson. He received two wounds during the conflict. He did not return to his studies at the close of the war, but turned his attention to farming and fruit growing. He was married to Sarah Porter Cheatwood, February 9, 1870. He is the father of six children named above as blossoms. Being highly educated himself, he took great care that his children should be thorough in their studies. He always taught them at night and never allowed them to retire until the lessons for the day were prepared.
John F. Nance, twig above, was born in Bedford County, Virginia in 1840. His whole life has been spent in his native county. His postoffice is Davis Mills. He has been a valuable assistant in preparing matters relating to this family. He thinks that there are over one hundred thousand living descendants of our immigrating father, Clement, or whoever he may have been, while if the dead were counted, the million mark would be passed. He was left an orphan by the death of both parents, at the age of seven, and reared by his brother, Albert.
He joined a cavalry company in April 1861, and served four years in the Confederate Army as a private in the same company. He is proud of his service for the Confederacy and wishes future generations to know that he believes that time will yet prove to the white race the world over that the South was right.
Spotswood A. Nance, bud, head of the firm of S. A. Nance & Company, wholesale dealers in dry goods, notions, boots, shoes, hats, caps and gloves, Dallas, Texas, is a very interesting correspondent. He is also interesting in his family relations. His mother is a daughter of Peyton Skipper Nance, of the twenty-seven children of Reuben Nance, Chapter III, while his father, Spotswood A. Nance, is one of the fifteen children of John and Martha Estes Nance above. Both families are large and prominent. They bear the same name, but the author has not found the connecting link.
Thomas Nance - Limb Four
Thomas Nance could not have been born later than 1748, for on October 30, 1769, he purchased a tract of land in Bedford County, he being a resident of Dinwiddie County at the time. He must have been at least twenty-one years of age at that time, or he could not have held realty. Thomas was a soldier in the Revolutionary Army, and was wounded at Eutaw Springs, South Carolina. His first wife was Sarah Gibbs. They appear to have been the parents of nine children, named below as branches, though the information is not conclusive. Besides, it is somewhat contradictory.
After the death of his wife, Thomas left Bedford County, and with some of his children settled in Knox County, Tennessee, near Knoxville, in about 1806 or 1807. Although quite old, he married again after going to Tennessee, and raised a family. His second wife was Mary Cooper, of Knox County. It appears that the names of some of these second set of children are the same as those in the first family. The information received from the different sources cannot be harmonized any other way. (Mr. J. A. McDannel, as well as the author, has spent many an hour trying to harmonize these conflicting statements, and what follows is the best we have been able to arrive at.)
By the second wife there appears to have been five children. These fourteen are named below as branches:
Note: Parts of this table are very confusing in the book. I am forced to change the format somewhat to fit the margins and font I have selected, but otherwise it is presented as it was in the original book.
Branch #1:
Archibald, wife, Nancy Williams, married March 10, 1794.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
Thomas
----------------------------------------------
{Archibald (Hughes {Samuel, d.
{Crow (Wade) {James, d.
Paschal (Creary)................{Nancy (Wade)
{Ellen (Wade)
{Jane (Cobb)
{Susan (Woods)
----------------------------------------------
Polly
----------------------------------------------
{Wiley W.
{Edwin E.
{Ollie A.
{Chas. W.
{Archibald W., w,...............{Davis E.
{Love A. Hardwick {Le Roy W.
{ {Nancy J.
{ {Carrie V.
{ {Allen N.
{ {Evelyn
Allen B., w, {
Mary A. Wade....................{Darias G.......................{William A.
{
{Charity W.
{Peter H.
{Mary M.
{Charles R.
{Davis A.
{William C.
{Edward M.
----------------------------------------------
Branch #2:
Peter, wife, Mary Pryor, married 1801.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Mary Jane, h,
Leonard C, w, {Dr. Jno. Fouche................{Jennie, h,
Mary Tipton.....................{ {G. McTeer
{Beverly P.
{Blanton
{William
----------------------------------------------
{Minerva L. {Jos. Alberti, w,
{Peter {Mary Lane
{ {
{Lucy Ann, h, 1841, {Abner J.
{J. C. S. McDannel..............{John
{ {Lucy
{ {Hugh F.
{ {Blanche
{ {Thos. H.
{Mary E., h,
{S. S. Thompson
{
{Calaway Blanton, w, {Samuel
Pryor, w, 1804 {Mary French....................{Alvin
Harriet Davis...................{ {Mary
{Pryor, w,
{Ella Biddle....................{Samuel
{ {George
{
{Harriet C., h, {William
{Wm. H. Hughes..................{Lillian
{ {James G.
{ {Earnest
{
{Caroline E., h, {Lena
{Julius Aurin...................{Elnora
{ {John
{Samuel H., w,
{Mary Worthington...............{Caroline
{
{Margaret H., h,
{John Morris
----------------------------------------------
James
----------------------------------------------
Harvey..........................{William F.
----------------------------------------------
{James
Harriet E., h, {Benj. F.
B. F. Duncan....................{
{Rufus, w,
{___? Holland...................{3 children
----------------------------------------------
{Pryor N.
{James P.
Mary Emeline, h, {George
George W. Harris................{Mary E.
{Aaron B.
{Josephine
{Amanda P.
----------------------------------------------
Calaway Blanton, 1818
----------------------------------------------
{Eliza
{Nathaniel
{John
{
Lucy Ann, h, {Mary, h,
Henry T. Cox....................{Horace Smith
{
{Ellen, h,
{Alfred Jackson
{
{Catharine
{Henrietta
----------------------------------------------
{Chas. McG., w, {Rose
Minerva L., h, {Cath. S. Taub..................{Charles
Dr. John Fouche.................{ {others?
{
{ {William
{Fannie, h, {Eliza
{Jno. B. Brownlow...............{John T.
{Jennie
----------------------------------------------
Branches #3 through #7:
Zachariah
Joel
Clement
Jefferson
Paschal
----------------------------------------------
Branch #8:
Polly, husband, Green Pryor
----------------------------------------------
Branch #9:
Sarah, husband, John Pryor, married May 1, 1805.
Twigs
Dr. William Pryor
Edward M.
----------------------------------------------
* * *
* * By second wife * *
* * *
----------------------------------------------
Branch #10:
Archibald W., wife Sarah Stevens, married 1883.
Twigs Buds
Mary A., h,
___? Best
----------------------------------------------
Samuel S.
William H.
----------------------------------------------
Elder Thomas G., w, {Roberta
Clara A. Scott..................{Bessy Cleon
Clifton, TX {Walter Everett
----------------------------------------------
Branches #11 through #13:
Jefferson
John Cooper
William H.
----------------------------------------------
Branch #14:
Caroline, husband, S. F. Plumlee
Twigs Buds
Marshall, w,
Miss Butler.....................{Lillian
{Blanche
----------------------------------------------
Americus C., w,
Mary Jane Cross
----------------------------------------------
Mary E., h, {Harry
___? Jones......................{Mrs. V. Eatherly
----------------------------------------------
Harriet, h,
Col. Thos. Boyd
----------------------------------------------
Caroline E., h,
Michael Gorday
The author is indebted very largely to Mr. J. A. McDannel, of Washington, D. C., for the information concerning Richard Nance and his family as given in the tables above. He was the most thorough-going correspondent the author has had in the work. Our correspondence continued from August 1898 to May 1899, ten months. In that short time the author was given sixty-six pages, nearly all closely type-written. Much of this matter would be interesting reading in this work, did space permit. At one time the author hoped he might combine our interests and issue a much larger work than the present, but something happened that changed his thoughts and blighted his hopes. Cousin McDannel, being young and susceptible to less serious thoughts than those used when pouring over the past and almost forgotten generations, fell victim to cupid, swearing allegiance to Miss Mary J. Lane, and forgot his generations. Being a blossom himself, took unto himself another. And what shall the harvest be? Fruit, of course.
Joel Nance - Limb
Joel Nance married Polly Philpot in Virginia. Nothing more is known of him, and only that he had a son Clement, and a son Allen. Allen is said to have lived in Benton, Kentucky; to have had one son, Rev. George Nance, of the Methodist Episcopal Church, South, in Texas.
Clement is the branch from with the twigs in the table below sprung. His wife was a Mill Ledbetter. It is more than likely that Joel is the son of William, and grandson of Richard, head of the family above, who is said to have emigrated to Kentucky with his brothers, Thomas, Paschal and Peter, between 1810 and 1826, settling near Roaring Springs, Trigg County. Believing this the author places his family where it should be.
Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Guy
{Lee
{Joseph
Monroe Nance, w, {Edward
Clio Grubbs.....................{Samuel
Paducah, KY {Clement
{Hattie
{Ada
{Monroe
{Nellie
----------------------------------------------
{William C.
{George H.
{Fabian A., w, {Ed. Fabian
{Jennie Broad...................{Clarence
{Marion, IL {Valdimir
Rev. Wm. Peyton, w {A merchant and dealer {Warder P.
Martha A. Eaker.................{in country produce {Robert D.
M. E. Church, South {
{Loulie, h,.....................{Vivian
{Rev. R. P. Howell
{M. E. Church, South
{San Diego, CA
----------------------------------------------
___? ___?, h,...................{2 children
Henry G. Mobley
----------------------------------------------
Jane, h,........................{2 children
John Moore
----------------------------------------------
Thomas..........................{2 children
CHAPTER V.
John Nance - Trunk
John Nance, born in North Carolina -- nothing more is known of him. William Franklin Nance, limb, born in North Carolina. The last years of his life were spent in Henry County, Tennessee, and in Graves County, Kentucky, near Mayfield where he died in 1867, at the age of eighty-six. He was a tobacco planter in these latter states. It is said that he was a man of great courage and with an ungovernable temper. He was a man of giant physique; tall, raw-boned, strong as an ox and brave as a lion. He was married four times and was the father of twenty-three children. His brothers are said to be Frederick, who married Polly Berry; Clement, who married Frances Berry, John, James, and Lawson. Of these the author knows nothing.
Of the twenty-three children, those known to the author are given below as branches. His first wife was Nancy Lowe, by whom he had eleven children. His second wife was Elizabeth Dunaway, who was the mother of several children.
Branches Twigs Buds Blossoms
Catherine, h,
___? Lamb
----------------------------------------------
Elizabeth, h,
John McCain
----------------------------------------------
Sophia, h,
R. Cochran
----------------------------------------------
Susan, h,
C. Dodds
----------------------------------------------
{Ida
{Minnie
{Essie
{Rufus D., w, {Johnnie
{Alice Sauter {Cora
{2nd w, Joycie..........{Dora
{ Thurman {Oscar
{Stonington, CO {Amelia
{ {Charles
John Webb, w, { {Earl
Nancy Simmons...........{ {Leila C.
Abingdon, IL { {Maude, h, {Edna B.
{ Sam'l C. Case...........{Russell F.
{ {Galva, IL {Harold S.
{ { {Dorothy E.
{Francis M, w, {George F. {Herbert E.
{Georgia Alwell.........{Myrtle C.
{Avon, IL {Frank R.
{ {
{ {Ella N., h,
{ {Wm. E. Mark............{Eugene E.
{ {
{ {H. Ross
{ {Earl
{ {Dora E., h, {Joe E.
{ {James E. Byram.........{Lera E.
{ { {Lena M.
{ { {Flossie
{ {Alva {Fern M.
{ {
{ {Edwin, w, {Oral
{Susan A.,h, {Nancy A. Fulton........{Lilian
{Levi Lincoln...........{Avon, IL {Edith
{Avon, IL {
{ {Nela, w, {Fairy E.
{ {Grace Johnson..........{Clarence L.
{ {Avon, IL {Ralph N.
{ {
{ {Orpha
{ {Myrtie
{ {Emma
{Mary Jane, h,
{Josiah Smith
{Shannon, IA {Lora E., h,
{ {Harry F. Town- {Dale J.
{ { send..........{Chelia M.
{ { {Leon M.
{ {Willis G., w,
{ {Florence M. {Claire H.
{ { Rose...........{Vera F.
{ { {Eltella M.
{ {Chas. L., w,
{ {Ella Butler............{Verne A.
{S. Elizabeth, h, { {Christine M.
{Jas. F. Mings..........{
{This family are {Lou M., w, {Marguerite
{all of Avon, IL {Julian Churchill.......{Ross A.
{ { {Herbert W.
{ {Nettie C., h,
{ {Frank D. Rea...........{Doren E.
{ {
-continuation- { {F. Russell, w, {J. Scott
John Webb, w, { {Lula M. Strick- {Lillian M.
Nancy Simmons... { { land........{Mark F.
{ {Ft. Madison, IA
{ {
{ {J. Allan
{
{Charles W., w, {Charles
{Eliza Wright...........{Elmer
{ {Belle Plain, KS
{
{ {Pearl, h,
{ {John E. Swan...........{Byram E.
{ {Council Bluffs, IA
{ {
{ {Lewis W.
{ {
{Nancy C., h, {George R., w,
{Robert Byram...........{Ella Dingman
{Abingdon, IL {Abingdon, IL
{ {
{ {Frank G., w,
{ {Lura Dunlap
{ {Galesburg, IL
{ {
{ {Lou R.
{ {Denver, CO
{Martha, h,
{E. Stone...............{Zelma P. Stone
{2nd h, K. R. Marks
{
{John Alonzo, w
{Eliza Smith............{Earl
{Junction City, OR {Martha P.
{
{Robert H., w,
{Jane Shirley
{2nd w, Ann Shirley.....{Walter
{Abingdon, IL
----------------------------------------------
Mary Jane, h,
J. P. Bohannon
----------------------------------------------
Robert
----------------------------------------------
Missouri, h,
Dr. J. Burnett
----------------------------------------------
Johanna, h,
Robert Rushing..........{M. F. Rushing, w,
{___? ___?
{Anna, IL
----------------------------------------------
William Franklin, w,
___? ___?
Dallas, TX
----------------------------------------------
Joseph Henry, w,
___? ___?
----------------------------------------------
* * * by second wife * * *
Miles R., w,
___? ___?
Mayfield, KY
----------------------------------------------
Logan
----------------------------------------------
{J. W. Nance
Ira.....................{G. W. Nance
Lowes, KY {Wingo, KY
John Webb Nance, branch above, was born in Rockingham, North Carolina, May 15, 1814. His boyhood was passed in Tennessee. He was a carpenter by trade. He came to Warren County, Illinois in 1845. After a few years he purchased a one hundred acre farm on which he resided until 1878. He then removed to Abingdon, where he now resides. He is a member of the Baptist Church, was originally a Whig, but since 1856 he has been a Democrat. He bacame a Mason in 1850. He was married May 24, 1836, to Nancy Simmons, of Calaway County, Kentucky. He is the ancestor of a large progeny, as shown by the table above. His second wife was Harriet E. Brooks and his third Mrs. Mary (Lucas) Crawford. The accompanying plate was made some years since, but he is said to be hale and hearty at the present, though past the age of ninety.
CHAPTER VI
The families in this chapter are grouped together because James is so prominent in each family. There is no known connecting link.
James Nance, limb, came from Virginia to Green Castle, Indiana, where he lived many years, and was killed there by a saw in a mill in 1844. He married Jane Moorel and reared a large family named as branches below. Moscow, the youngest, was born in 1836, left home before he was twenty-one and settled in Iowa, and married Miss Lau Bonar. Then he enlisted in the 18th Iowa Infantry. While in the service, his mother died at Franklin, Indiana, and he never returned to see any of his brothers and sisters, and they are entirely lost to Moscow and family. At the close of the war he settled at Osceola, Iowa, where he died March 4, 1900. The above information and much in the table below is given the author by Mrs. Mollie Nance-Wheeler, Osborne, Missouri. She was very anxious to learn of the brothers and sisters of her father, and their families.
The balance of the information in the table came from Miss Katharine Layman, twig below, of Indianapolis, Indiana.
In preparing the two tables for the Memorial, the similarity of names was such that the author surmised that they were one and the same family. Correspondence confirmed this belief and he is happy to present the families in one united table.
Branches Twigs Buds
{Mary, h, 1872
{T. Howard, w, {Walter Smith
{1836-1898 {
{Gertrude Caterlin..............{LaDora, 1874
{447 Swiss Ave {Howard
{Dallas, TX {Virginia Belle
{
{ {Mary, h, 1865
{Louisa Caroline, h, {Clarence Forsyth
John Wesley, w, {1841, Theo. D. Layman..........{
1812-1861 {904 E. 15th St. {Katharine, 1867
Matilda Parks...................{Indianapolis, IN {904 E. 15th St.
{ {Indianapolis, IN
{
{Benj. Parks, w, 1845, {John Wesley, 1875
{Theodosia Braun................{Moody, 1877
{Lawrence, IN {Grace Louise, 1873
{
{Frederick W., w, {Otis
{1850-1892......................{Edward
{Ada Sanders {Theo L., 1884
{Brazil, IN
----------------------------------------------
{Rachel, h,
{Robert Roberts
{
Harriet, h, {Sarah, h,
Amos Compton....................{Joseph Colby
{
{James
{
{Katharine, h,
{___? Laurie
----------------------------------------------
Sarah Caroline, h,
Plooden Burchard
Ashland Ave. & 9th St.
Indianapolis, IN
----------------------------------------------
William
Thomas
Pinctney
Frank
----------------------------------------------
Henry, w, {Thaddeus
Elizabeth Leigh.................{Jane
{Katherine
----------------------------------------------
Jane, h, {Henry
Henry Fox.......................{Tobias
{Jane
----------------------------------------------
Julia, h, {Serena McGiffin
James Tisdale {Katharine McGiffin
2nd h, Sam'l McGiffin...........{William McGiffin
----------------------------------------------
{David T., w
{Icetona Stevenson
{Osceola, IA
{
{William R., w,
{Olie Selby
{Henry, SD
{
{James B., w,
{Belle Hayter
{St. Joe, MO
Moscow, w, 1836-1900............{
Lau Bonar {Charles B., w,
{Alice Buchanan
{Nelson, NE
{
{Mollie A., h,
{Orin Wheeler
{Osborne, MO
{
{Norman B.
{Herman F.
{
{Jennie B., h,
{Dr. Claude Walker
{Woodbine, IA
----------------------------------------------
Katharine, h,
S. S. Burnett
Vincennes, IN
James Nance, limb, was born about 1790, in North Carolina, his father's name is believed to have been Sandford Nance. He settled in Tennessee at an early day, in Benton County. He was married four times, but the names of all his wives are lost. His children, as far as known, are named below as branches. The information as to this family was obtained from letters from Miss Florence Nance, Eggville, Tennessee, in 1898 and 1899. Recent letters fail to bring response.
Branches Twigs Buds
Eliza
Martha
Polly
Julia
Betsey
Levi
--------------------------------------------
{James, 1848, w, {Florence, 1876
{___ Elmore.....................{Jennie
{ {Oliver
Richard, 1829, w,...............{ {Richard, 1886
___ Herrin {William, w,
{___ Elmore.....................{6 children
{
{Neuton, w,.....................{2 children
{___ Ballard
2nd w, ___? ___?................{Artie (Walker)
{Belle (Hudson)
{Virgie (Johnson)
It is claimed by Alfred R. Nance, twig below, that the emigrating family came from Neps, France to Virginia; that a part of the family settled near Norfolk, and that his great grandfather, Richard Nance, came to North Carolina. His grandfather, Frederick Woodson Nance, came from Buncombe County, North Carolina, to Rutherford County, Tennessee, where he died some years before the civil war. He was the father of nine children, all being dead but James. He is living in Bedford County, as also is his son. His wife's name was Leathers.
Branches Twigs Buds
{Frederick
James...........................{Alfred R. Nance, 1860..................{Edwin
{Shelbyville, TN {Alfred R.,Jr.
Nothing is known of the following family, more than the table shows, except that their headquarters is Randolph, Nebraska.
Branches Twigs Buds
{Robert
James Nance.....................{James..................{Earnest L.
VA {born VA {Rousa L.
{now in NE
First generation, Clement Nance of Jamestown, Virginia, of which nothing is known.
Second generation, name unknown.
Third generation, or trunk, William Nance, of which nothing is known except that he had a son, James Nance, limb, who was born at Southhampton, C. H., Southhampton County, Virginia; moved to Pulaski, Giles County, Tennessee in 1843. All that is known of this family was gained from a letter from James H. Nance, Bon Aqua, Tennessee, June 17, 1903.
Branches Twigs Buds
{James H, Jr, w, {Eula
James H., 1833, w {Georgia Johnson................{Leoma
Martha Mayberry.................{Sawdist Valley, TN {Bertha
Bon Aqua, TN {
{Harry S., single
{Agent NC & St.L.
{RR, Graham, TN
CHAPTER VII
These families are grouped into one chapter, simply for convenience, there
being no known connecting link.
Giles Nance - Trunk
Of North Carolina, and his wife, Mary Smith, were parents of the seven children named as limbs in the table below. This family were heirs at law, through their mother, Mary Smith, above, to a portion of the "Raleigh Estate," in North Carolina. And the table below is taken from the report of the commissioner appointed by the court to divide the estate. The estate was a large one and there were many heirs. No ages or addresses were given in the pamphlet.
Limbs Branches Twigs Buds
{Geo. H. Milburn
Mary A. Nance,h {
G. W. Milburn…..........{Sallie Milburn, h,
{W. H. Eldridge
2nd h., D. A. Cannon....{Robt. Cannon
----------------------------------------------
Sarah W. Nance, h,
L. W. Hardin
----------------------------------------------
John S. Nance
----------------------------------------------
B. R. Nance
----------------------------------------------
{Wm. H. Thompson
Nancy J. Nance,h {
Wiley Thompson..........{Nancy J. Thompson,h,
{___? Davit
{ {Oscar
{Sam'l Thompson..............{Nannie
{Robert.................{Jefferson
{R. Percy
----------------------------------------------
{Matilda S. ,h
{D. S. Powell
Robt. S. Nance..........{Robert Nance................{
{Nannie B.
{Robt. W. Nance
----------------------------------------------
{Ellen S. Nance
Wm. H. Nance............{Wm. H. Nance
{Florence L. Nance
Eaton Nance - Trunk
Lived and died in Charles City County, Virginia, dying about 1790 to 1795. His wife a widow (Moon). He was the father of three children, Zachariah, James Junior and Mary. These three are named in the table below as limbs. Zachariah was born in 1785. He married a Miss Mountcastle. His eight children are given below as branches. Zachariah Fleming Nance, branch below, was living in Leesburg, Alabama, October 20, 1896, when he wrote me a letter containing the above information, and also that information contained in the table below. He had removed from Charles City County in 1863, settling in Alabama. At the date of the letter, he was past eighty. His nephew, L. M. Nance, an attorney at Roxbury, Charles City County, Virginia, also assisted me in preparing the table below. No one of this family have responded to my correspondence of late years.
Limbs Branches Twigs
{Sallie F.
{Ben E.
{Zachariah Fleming......{Leesburg, AL
{1816 {Robt. F.
{Leesburg, AL {Mary L.
{
Zachariah, 1785,w {Eaton, head of
___ Moundcastle.........{Richmond Bar {John F. (sheriff)
{died 1862 {Chas. S. (undertaker)
{James {E. Edmond (merchant)
{Benj. Albert...........{L. M. (attorney)
{Fannie {Roxberry, VA
{Julia {Julia A. (Niger)
{Mary
{Letitia
--------------------------------------------
James Jr.
Mary
George Nance - Trunk
This family is entirely unknown to the author, except as to Mrs. Mary Nance-Helm, and her son, Strather, whom the author and family entertained while attending the World's Fair. We also had the pleasure of two calls at their pleasant home in Louisville, Kentucky. Strather is a commercial traveler of much prominence. George, trunk, was a Virginian, a gifted man, a Baptist minister. It is said he was a great and good man. His son, Simeon, moved from Virginia to North Carolina, before marriage, and settled near Raleigh. Here Mrs. Helm was born. She has lived in Kentucky many years.
Limbs Branches Twigs Buds
{Simeon, w,.............{Mary (Helm)............{Wm. Strather
{Martha Metshiner {406 Fountain Ct.
{ {Louisville, KY
George Nance........{Mary
{Evelyn
{Nancy Jane
{James, became rich in AL & MS
---------------------------------------------
William, went west
Robert Nance - Trunk
Lived in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. He had three nephews, Hudson, Marshall, and Thomas, who settled in Randolph County, North Carolina, about 1795. He had two sons, John and Wyatt, limbs. John was born in 1770 and settled in Granville County, North Carolina in 1790. He had two sons, Allen and John, of whom nothing is known. Wyatt, limb, was born in 1775 and settled in Anson County, North Carolina in 1795. His male descendants are given in the table below. This information was all obtained from a letter by James D. Nance, Goodman, North Carolina, dated November 24, 1896. No later response.
Branches Twigs Buds Blossoms
{Bunyun
{Jesse P................{William R..............{John
{ {Joseph
{
{ {Dr. Geo. B.............{James W.
{ {
{James D................{John W.................{Walter
John A. 1798............{ {
{ {James T................{DeCosta P.
{ {William D.
{Alfred H...............{Jonas
{ {Thomas
{Ferrington L.
{Wyatt D.
{John W. {John
{Jacob W................{William
{James
----------------------------------------------
{Clement {Walter
{ {James C................{Wilson
{ { {Crawford
{ {
{ {Alvin..................{2 sons
{ {
{Henry..................{Wyatt..................{2 sons
Harbert, 1803...........{ {
{ {Eli....................{(Isof)??
{ {Ellis
{ {Jonas
{ {John
{
{Silas..................{Davidson
{Fuller
--------------------------------------------
{Allen, moved to AR in 1845
{Thomas, moved to TN in 1848
Robert, 1807............{Jesse moved west
{Green..................{2 sons
{
{James
{William
{Joseph
Nothing is known of the family below further than the table shows, except
that I. G. Nance was a member of the Kentucky Legislature, as a Republican in
1896, and is now a farmer, and as he says in a letter received the day that this
goes into type, "Since I last wrote you I have married and settled on a farm,
and as you will presuppose, being a Republican, I am giving my time and
consideration to my 'infant industries.'"
Branches Twigs Buds
Peter (in the War of 1812)
George, settled in Ohio
Richard, settled in Ohio John, lost about the time
of War with Mexico
{George W.
Geo. W., 1818.......................{
Slaughterville, KY {Hon. I.G. Nance
{Slaughterville, KY
Miss Nance, trunk, is only known by tradition as "the handsome Miss Nance of
Leaf River." She married John Chandler of Virginia, and they had an only
daughter, Mary Chandler. She married Reuben House. They and their descendants
are named in the table below:
Limbs Branches Twigs Buds
{Jesse
{
{John...................{4 children
{
{ {Fannie (Smith).........{3 children
{Elizabeth, h, {
{Dr. Ogilvie............{Hester (Hilliard)......{5 children
{ {
{ {Henrietta (Lewis)......{5 children
{ {
{ {4 others
{
Mary Chandler, h,.......{ {Robert, w,.............{5 children
Reuben House {Mary, h, 1801 {Miss Lamar
{___? Patterson.........{
{ {Caroline, h,...........{8 children
{ {Robert Miller
{
{Reuben, w,.............{Mary (Hunter)..........{7 children
{___? Dinkins {
{ {Reuben E...............{3 children
{
{ {Mary
{ { (Ridore)
{ {Norfalk,
{Hester, h, 1803-1862 { VA
{Dr. R. J. Lawrence.....{Eliza C., h, {
{Fred B. Leavenworth {L. Wither-
{Petersburg, VA { spoon
{Richmond, VA
{
{Helen,
{at home
All that is known of the family below was obtained from a letter dated "Paint
Lick, Kentucky, November 7, 1898," and signed by S. H. Nantz, below. All
information is in the table below, except that Clement and Frederick died near
Paint Lick, Kentucky. Webster and Wesley went to Illinois. Jefferson went to
Indiana, and from there to California. Wilkinson went to Clay County, Missouri.
Clement and Frederick each left families.
Limbs Branches Twigs Buds
{Clement
{Webster
{Wesley
William Nantz...........{Frederick.................{Geo. W. Nantz..........{S.H. Nantz
2nd w, ___? Fulce {Jefferson {Paint Lick,
Born in VA, {Wilkinson {KY
moved to IN. {Nancy
8 children {Elizabeth (Jones)
William (Billy) Nance - Trunk
Lived in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. He had two boys and two girls. They are named in the table below as limbs. John never married. Robert had only one child, Captain Robert G. Nance, branch below. Said Captain Nance was born in Pittsylvanis Conty, lived in Fayette County, Illinois, enlisted in the 40th Illinois Regiment from there as a private, was promoted to second lieutenant and then to first lieutenant. The R. G. Nance Post No. 756, Department of Illinois, Grand Army of the Republic, is named in his honor. He enlisted August 10, 1861, and was discharged January 7, 1865.
Limbs Branches Twigs
John, 1782, never married
--------------------------------------------
{Monroe
Robert.....................{Capt. Robt. G...................{Alzora (Brown)
{Fidetta (Brown)
{Gatch, IL
--------------------------------------------
Polly, h,
Sam'l Gauldin
--------------------------------------------
Jinsey, h,
Pleasant Stephens
--------------------------------------------
{John, d.
{A. J.
Archibald J. Nance, w, {Boliver, TX
___? Miller................. {J. N.
{J. A.
{Harriet
{Sarah Ann
{Minerva
{Robert L.
{Archibald J.
{Peoria, IL
2nd w, Elizabeth Norman. {Mary E. Bump
{Anna, IL
{Wm Peyton
{Anna, IL
{Florence
{Memphis, TN
The above is furnished by Archibald J. Nance, of Peoria, Illinois. He can give no positive information, having been separated from the family nearly all his life. He has an exalted opinion of his half-brothers in Texas, but knows nothing definitely. They do not respond to letters sent.
Appendix
Exhibit "A"
Quotations from a letter written by Elijah Nance, Padstow, Cornwall, England, in 1856, to W. E. Nance, Cardiff, Wales:
Dear Cousin, (I presume):
In reply to your inquiry respecting the origin of the Nance family, I doubt that I shall give you that perfect pedigree that you so anticipate. But brief as it may be, it will give you a little knowledge from whence my family sprung.
My brief account only includes seven hundred and ninety years. In the year 1066, William the Bastard, well known by the name William the Conqueror, being promoted by the Pope of Rome, William soon collected an army and landed them in safety at the place called Hastings, in the County of Sussex. King Harold, the then King of England, managed in haste to give him battle, and encamped about seven miles from the Norman Army, wherein was one of my forefathers as General. And on the seventeenth day of October, 1066, a bloody battle begun at seven o'clock in the morning and lasted until night was closing in, and the Normans were much worsted, when a Norman archer shot an arrow which went through Harold's skull and killed him at once. His army, seeing their king and commander dead, took flight in all directions, and the Normans made great slaughter of the retreating army, so that from one battle the Normans became masters of all England in due time.
After that, battle detachments of the army were sent into all parts of England to take and confiscate what property they thought fit, and General Prideaux came to Padstow, in Cornwall, and my forefather established himself of the Barton of Quandradu, so that the name of Nance and Prideaux have been residents at Padstow for about seven hundred and ninety years last past.
Nearly forty years since I was at the Stewards House of the Esquire Prideaux, that gentleman asked me where my family came from. I told him from Nantes, in Normandy, and that my family were adventurers with the Prideaux family. He said he believed it, for he so frequently met with the name of Nance in the wiriting of the Prideaux. N. B. - Be it remembered with you that when the Normans came to England they had but one name (a Christian name), but they took to themselves a surname, and my forefather, as he came from Nantes, in Normandy, wrote his name Nance, as I suppose, being a milder way of pronouncing the name correctly. As to all the Nance family, they were generally endowed with a geniousness and ability being brought to learning in arts and science that they were brought to trades such as tailors, carpenters, boot and show makers, hatters, rope makers, wool steplers, farmers, etc. Then there was an Esquire Nance mentioned in the History of Cornwall that was held in high esteem in the county. Again another Esquire Nance that lived not far from Bodmin at a seat called Trengoff, in the Parish of Warliggan, about seven miles from Bodmin. He sold his estate for nine hundred and ninety-nine years but retained Trengoff to his widow as a dower.
Again, my Uncle Andrew Nance, being a hatter, settled himself down in Portsmouth. He kept a shop there and another at Portsea. He got wealthy and his off-spring wealthy. Then my Uncle George Nance, a tailor, settled at Bath and lived in great oppulance there, and having become a merchant tailor, was employed by the nobility that visited that city. But poor Elijah Nance never met with so good luck as my predecessors. But I think if you look on the other side and examining my pedigree, you will discover that I must be possessed of some of the blood of some of the high rank people of England, and not a family in all Wales can produce such a pedigree. My grandfather, in his day, became an heir at law to the estate of Wm. Parker, Esquire, in St. Mabyn, Cornwall, and was under the necessity to get it to prove his title to it and sue for it in Chancery, and as he did he was obliged to produce his pedigree.
(Being unable to find one who could interpret the Court of Chancery records, the author has omitted the pedigree.)
When in London, six years since, a gentleman being informed that a person called Nance was in London, came from Gravesend, a distance of thirty miles to see me and inquire to my pedigree and the pedigree of the Nance family. He proved to be a son of my cousin, Walter Nance, your great uncle. He was in business as boot and shoemaker at Gravesend.
Such is all the knowledge of my family, and such is my pedigree I am in possession of to send unto you.
Exhibit "B"
(Home address) East Farndon Rectory,
Market Harborough,
W. E. Nance, Esquire, Cardiff, Wales.
Dear Sir:
I remember seeing your son in Oxford, and his asking me about my family. I fear I can throw but little light on the family history, though I am much interested myself in it, and have paid visits to Warliggon, Illogan and Creed to inspect registers.
My name of "Trengove" is misleading. It is the belief of our family that we do belong to the Warliggon Nances, but we cannot trace the early connection. My father gave me the name in that belief, but I am the first one in our branch of the family that has had it. The name is held also by my nephew now at Balliol College, Oxford.
Our family lived at Creed, near Granpound, in Cornwall, and there are several generations there in registers. My great-grandfather, Rev. Wm. Nance (Exceter College, Oxford) was Curate of Creed. He migrated into Kent, and my father migrated into Staffordshire.
My grandfather was Fellow of Worcester College, Oxford, and made many attempts to trace the genealogy. He had the registers at Warliggon copied and sent to him.
The old county histories of Cornwall say that both the Illogan and Warliggon branches of the family have become extinct.
I have visited Illogan also. The farm house at Nance in that Parish seems to have been an Eccleasiastical House before the reformation, and it has still some wooden panels painted with the twelve apostles. I have searched the registers there and extracted all that belonged to the family. You will find most of the old records of the family in Vivian & Drake's Visitation of the County of Cornwall, which you would find in any first-class library.
Believe me Yours Truly,
J. T. Nance
(The old records spoken of above, being imperfect, are omitted for lack of space.)
Exhibit "C"
Stanley Lodge, Monmough, June 12, 1903
Dear Sir;
As I understand, you invite communication from every "fellow kinsman" (to use your graphic phrase), allow me to make myself known as a descendant of your male stock, viz., the great-great-grandson of Richard Eustis, of Saint Ives, Cornwall, by his wife Margery Nance, of the same town, who were married 1729. I am the author of the History of Saint Ives to which you make reference. I enclose particulars of my Nance descent.
Yours faithfully,
John Hobson Matthews
Solicitor Archivist to the Corporation of Cardiff
Geo. W. Nance, Esquire
Margery Nance, 1729 - Richard Eustis
Mary Eustis - Jasper Williams
Jasper Williams - Mary Stevems
Honor Williams - John Matthews
John Thomas Matthews - Emma Hobson
John Hobson Matthews, b. 1858 - Alice Mary Gwyn-Highes
John Vivian Gwyn-Hobson Matthews, 1897
From a document at the London Record Office, I gather that this particular Nance family were known in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries by the additional surname "Molkin," meaning bald according to Brolace, a personal name equivalent to the Welch "Maelgwn." They were, I believe, originally of Nance in Lelant, but acquired some estate in East Cornwall, whether by marriage or purchase, I do not know. They bore Arms: Argent, a crop humettee sable.
Yours faithfully,
John Hobson Matthews
Exhibit "D"
From "History of Saint Ives", etc., by Matthews;
Nance - this is one of the original Saint Ives families. The name, which is a misspelling of the Cornish word Nans, a valley, indicates that the ancestor who first assumed this cognomen, was a dweller in some inland dale of the neighborhood.
In the year 1327, there was a general subsidy levied upon all England, and thelists of the persons taxed for it are the earliest rolls in Existence. "Luca de Nanse" thus appears.
In 1523 Thomas Nanse had goods, etc., also in 1524.
In 1573 John Nanste was a Burgess of Saint Ives. In 1578 he contributed to the equipment of the trained band fitted out against the Spaniards. In 1590, Captain John Nance. In 1595, John Nanse Captaine, etc. 1534, Symon Nanc. 1592, Mr. Trenance.
John Nance, Jo Nance, Wm. Nance, Rio Nance, Geffrie Nance, Wm. Nance, Wm. Nance, Chruch Warden, and other appear all along up to about 1700. Marriages, 1667, John Nance and Elizabeth Stevens. 1701, Allen Nance and Welmot Thomas. 1711, Thomas Kempthorn and Elizabeth Nance.
1729, Richard Eustis and Margery Nance.
From John Wesley's Diary the following items are taken:
"Visited Saint Ives a second time April 3, 1744. I was a little surprised at entering John Nance's house, being received by many, who were waiting for me, with a loud, though not a bitter, cry."
Again, "Went with John Nance to Rosemargay, in Zennor, etc."
Again, "But between seven and eight the mob came and beset John Nance's house. John Nance and John Paynter went out and stood before the door, though they were quickly covered with dirt. The cry was, "Bring out the preacher. Pull down the house."
And again, "On Sunday, 30, about six in the evening, I began preaching in the street near John Nance's door."
Concerning his twenty-fifth visit, on August 26, 1785, Wesley writes; "In the evening I preached in the marketplace at Saint Ives, to almost the whole town. This was the first place in Cornwall where we preached and where satan fought fiercely for his kingdom. But now all is peace. I found that old John Nance had rested from his labors. Some months since, sitting behind the preacher in the pulpit, he sunk down and was carried out, and fell asleep."
Many other quotations might be made from this work, but these are given, not because of any real value, but to give some idea as to the age, number and prominence of the family.
Exhibit "E"
Belfast Street Tramways
Tramways Office, Sandy Row, Company
Belfast, August 14, 1879
Andrew Nance, manager
Geo. W. Nance, Esquire
My dear sir:
I was away on my vacation when your letter arrived, and so it has not been answered as soon as I could have wished. Your letter very much surprised me for two reasons. The number of persons of our name who are known to you in America is astonishing, and the similarity of traditions with regard to them.
For my own part I do not take any interest in ancestry, nor should I take any trouble about it. My Uncle William, however, who was a lawyer, took a world of trouble and spent a good deal of money in inquiries. I have at some time when a young man, either read or was told what he discovered, but I don't know whether it exists now, nor if it was ever written, or where it would be if it did exist.
First, he found out the "Coat of Arms" of the family. I send it on the paper enclosed. The motto is the same as that of Queen Elizabeth, and I'm told that it indicates that the Royal Blood of France is in our viens, whether legitimately or not I cannot say. My Uncle William appears to have satisfied himself that two Huguenot brothers named Andrew and Clement were obliged, with their families, to flee from France at the time of the Huguenot persecution. They appear to have been an aristocratic and noble family, and the name Nance was a territorial name, and probably we could all rightly call ourselves DeNance, if we so desired. They appear to have landed in the west of England about that period, and the elder brother, Andrew, settled there, and Clement disappeared. You have explained what became of him in your letter. My Uncle William would have been delighted to hear what you have written about him. As I told Mr. J. Nance, a friend of mine who spent a summer in the Scilly Islands, found that on one island, all, or nearly all the people were named Nance. I am too old to go and see into the matter, and in truth it is not of any interest to me.
It appears that Andrew Nance lived in or about Cornwall, and there are plenty of Nances thereabouts descended from him. Every eldest son was named Andrew. I am the tenth Andrew, the eldest born of each generation. My only child died in infancy and my brother, Walter, named his eldest boy Andrew. So he will be the eleventh, and will probably have what few dollars I possess when my wife is done with them. The seventh Andrew crossed to Normandy from Cornwall and lived there. In Normandy the eighth Andrew was born. This eighth Andrew went to Kent when he was about twenty-one, and I believe the seventh Andrew and his wife, Martha, died there. The eighth Andrew soon left Kent when his parents died, and came to Protsmouth and set up as a hatter. He was a most enterprising man. He bought the "Fountain" and "Blue Ports" Hotels. He married a lady near Portsmouth, had a large family and died there. The ninth Andrew (my father) also lived all his life at Portsmouth, and his wife (my mother) is named Martha, the same as his grandmother. That is wholly all I know and I don't think anyone knows any more. No doubt a search in France would reveal the history and origin of the family from the first.
Truly,
Andrew Nance
Exhibit "F"
Bristol Parish
Bristol Parish had fifteen or twenty churches, the principle one was "Blandford" or "St. Paul's," now repaired, and in Petersburg, Virginia. The Parish extended from Prince George County west and northwest sixty miles or so, and was governed by a board of Church Wardens who collected the tobacco tax and maintained rectors, churches bridges, roads and helpless poor.
Across the James River and twelve miles downstream from Petersburg, has been located the home of many of the name found in the Bristol Parish records given below, viz: Of Daniel and Elizabeth in 1722; Of Daniel and Mary in 1725; Of Richard and Mary in 1722; Of Daniel, Senior, in 1732; Of John and Jane in 1722; Of William and Anna in 1742; Of Thomas and Priscilla Nance in 1745. Daniel Nance, presumably the senior, was "processioner," to examing and remark the timber or boundary lines on "South Fork of Gravelly Run."
The names below were taken from the Church Register as shown by Mr. Churchill Gibson Chamberlayne in his book entitled, "The Vestry Book and Register of Bristol Parish, Virginia, 1720 - 1789." This book was transcribed from the records and published by Mr. Chamberlayne at Richmond, Virginia. (Printed privately 1898). He says that two leaves of the manuscript are missing, which include the minutes of the Vestry meetings between October 28 and November 11, 1723.
Parents Children
Daniel and Eliza {Phebe, b. October, 1712
(Elizabeth) Nance...............{Eliza, b. July 6, 1719
{Elinor, b. September 9, 1722
{Lucy, b. December 24, 1729
Daniel and Mary Nance...........{Eliza, b. June 19, 1728
{Elinor, b. May 25, 1721
John and Jane Nance.............{Thos., b. September 22, 1723
{Richard, b. January 24, 1726
{William, b. July 12, 1728
{John, b. December 15, 1723
{Eliza, b. November 7, 1725
Richard and Mary Nance..........{Leonard, b. December 15, 1730
{Nathaniel, b. December 9, 1731
{Anne, b. January 15, 1741-42
John and Mary Nance.............{Giles, b. May 4, 1735
Transcriber's Note: Nance Register author, Pete Nance claims Giles is the father of Clement.
William and Ann Nance...........{Thomas, b. February 29, 1736
{Sarah, b. January 30, 1742-43
Thomas and Priscilla Nance......{Sarah, b. October 19, 1745
Exhibit "G"
Land patents issued to "Nance" between March 18, 1639 and July 12, 1797, as per Richmond records;
Richard Nance, 300 acres Henrico County, to be doubled when he or his assigns shall have sufficiently peopled and planted on north side of Appamattuck River, being due to said Nance for transportation of six persons into this colony, viz: His now wife, Alice, Robert Perry, Robert Chappell, George Prebedy, Edw'd Rolvlington and Mary Uncars, March 18, 1639. Book No. 1, page 715.
Wm. Nance, of James City County, 520 acres in said county, south side Chickahominy River, adjoining Jno. Randall, Gregory Wills, Mr. Bobby, said Nance's Neck, 150 acres being due to said Nance by marrying daughter and one of co-heirs of Grace or Tinsley, who was sister, and one of co-heirs of Richard Pierce. It being part of 600 acres granted said Pierce September 12, 1636, and 370 acres upon said Nance's survey,and the whole patent being found surplusage within the bounds is also due to said Nance for the transportation of eight persons, viz: Anne Kerer, Wm. Kent, Wm. Kath Davis, Eliz. Grocer, Becrebe Farmer and Nich. Prior April 29, 1692. No. 8, page 231.
John Nance, of Prince George County, 150 acres on north side Hatcher's Run, adjoining Samuel Sentalls. June 2, 1722. No. 11, page 114.
Richard Nance, of Prince George County, 142 acres on south side Gravelly Run on both sides of the Great Branch, in Prince George County. June 22, 1722. No. 11, page 119.
John Nance, of Prince George County, 142 acres south side Nottoway River, Brunswick County, beginning at the Indian Company's upper corner upon the river, &C. July 7, 1726. No. 12, page 518.
John Nance, of Prince George County, 252 acres on north side Hatcher's Run, adjoining his old land south side of Picture Branch. June 26, 1731. No. 14, page 161. Daniel Nance, Junior, of Prince George County, 200 acres both sides of Picture Branch adjoining upper line of John Nance on the north side of Picture Branch. June 20, 1733. No. 15, page 88.
Daniel Nance and Edmund Hall, 385 acres Brunswick County, both sides Jeneto Creek. August 15, 1737. No. 17, page 383. Richard Nance, 400 acres Amelia County, north side Horsepen Creek in the fork of Nottoway River adjoining Miles Thweats, Samuel Jordan, and als. September 12, 1738. No. 18, page 104.
Richard Nance, 184 acres Prince George County, south side Gravilly Run adjoining his own land, Francis Epps, Thos. Gent, Junior, and Captain Frances Epps. June 30, 1743. No. 21, page 420.
John Nance, 400 acres Brunswick County, both sides of Meherin River. August 28, 1746. No. 24, page 398.
Wm. Nance, 318 acres Brunswick County on south side Jeneto Creek. January 12, 1746. No. 25, page 239.
Daniel Nance, 244 acres Brunswick County on Avents Creek. January 12, 1746. No. 25, page 569.
John Nance, 385 acres Lunenburg County, both sides north fork of Dry Creek. July 25, 1749. No. 27, page 247.
Richard Nance, 210 acres Lunenburg County, both sides Meherin River. June 1, 1750. No. 29, page 225.
Thomas Nance, 290 acres Lunenburg County, south sied Harricane Creek. July 27, 1727. No. 31, page 341.
John Nance, 400 acres Lunenburg County. both sides Meherin River, adjoining Richard Nance. September 10, 1755. No. 31, page 552.
John Nance, Junior, 400 acres Lunenburg County, south side Owls Creek. September 10, 1755. No. 31, page 552.
Daniel Nance, 278 acres Brunswick County, on branches of Avents Creek. February 5, 1753. No. 32, page 24.
John Nancys, 846 acres, Brunswick County. June 16, 1756. No. 33, page 19.
Wm. Nance, 390 acres Lunenburg County, on branches of Great Creek. August 16, 1756. No. 33, page 63.
Wm. Nance, 400 acres Lunenburg County, on branches of Roanoke River. August 16, 1756. No. 33, page 223.
Richard Nance, 365 acres Lunenburg County, south side Springfield Creek. March 10, 1756. No. 34, page 14.
Thomas Nance, 707 acres, Lunenburg County, on branches of Juniper Creek. February 5, 1757. No. 34, page 175.
Daniel Nance, 332 acres Brunswick County. August 20, 1760. No. 34, page 694. Wm. Nance, 400 acres Lunenburg County, Northeast fork of Great Creek. May 23, 1763. No. 35, page 171.
Thomas Nance, 400 acres Lunenburg County, on branches of Juniper Creek. August 15, 1764. No. 36, page 645.
Reuben Nance, 182 acres by survey November 20, 1765, on draughts of Leatherwood Creek, Henry County. July 4, 1780. Book of Grants "A", page 560.
Giles Nance, 1,574 acres by survey March 24, 1756, Halifax County, on branches of Cascade and Sugar Tree Creek. December 1, 1779. Book "B", page 158.
Clement Nance, 240 acres by survey April 8, 1794, Pittsylvania County, on drafts of Cascade Creek adjoining James Denton's, McCann's, Walton's, Clay's, Isaac Lumford's, Richard Farrer's. October 20, 1790. No. 36, page 216.
John Nance, 33 acres by survey June 26, 1795, Mecklenburg County adjoining John Cleaton, Junior, Cleaton & Nance's line. July 12, 1797. No. 391, page 423.
Exhibit "H" (a)
In the name of God, Amen:
I, John Nance, of Lunenburg County, and Parish of Cornwall, being of perfect
health, sound mind and memory, but calling to mind and duly considering the
uncertainty of human life, do make and ordain this as my last will and
testament.
First. I do commit myself to God, my Creator and Preserver, trusting to his
mercy, by the merits of his blessed Redeemer for the remission of all my sins,
my body to be decently interred at the discretion of my executor herein after
named. And as to the temporals it hath pleased God to bestow on me I give and
dispose and bequeath thereof, in the following manner:
I give and bequeath to my son John, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my son Thomas, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my son Richard, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my son William, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my son Frederick, the land and plantation whereon I
now live, being three hundred acres (except the use of all that part of the
plantation that lies north of the river where I now live, which is to be and
remain in the possession of my two daughters, Elizabeth and Molly, during the
whole time of their remaining unmarried, and no longer, and then the same with
all the privileges and appertenances of the whole three hundred acres to become
the property of my son Frederick, his heirs and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Jane, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Phebe, one shilling sterling.
I give and bequeath to my daughter Susannah, one shilling sterling.
I lend unto my two daughters, Elizabeth and Molly, the cleared land and
plantation houses, orchards, etc., on the north side of the river, together with
my negro man, Jack, during the whole time they shall remain unmarried, and then
the same to descend to my son Frederick, his heirs and assigns forever.
I give and bequeath all the rest of my estate, be it all of what nature
soever it will (after my just debts and legacies be paid), to be equally divided
between my two daughters, Elizabeth and Molly, to them, their heirs and assigns
forever. When either of my two daughters shall marry, she is no longer to enjoy
any privileges in the land and negro, but them totally to be in the possession
of the one that remains single, and when they are both married or die, whichever
shall happen first, the same is to descend to Frederick, and not before.
Lastly, I do constitute my son Thomas, whole and sole executor of this my
land will and testament, making null and void all other wills heretofore made,
and do hereby ordain and declare this to be my land will and testament.
Witness my hand and seal this 28th day of February, 1761.
John Nance
In the presence of
Geo. Walton
Ezekiah Jackson
Benj. Ship
Certified in court, July 6, 1762.
Exhibit "H" (b)
In the name of God, Amen, the twenty-third day of December, in the year of
our Lord 1771, I, Zachariah Nance, of Charles City County, being very sick and
weak in body, but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given unto God,
therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body, and knowing that it is
appointed for all men to die, once to die, do make and ordain this my last will
and testament; that is to say principally and first of all, I give and recommend
my soul into the hands of God who gave it, and for my body I recommend it to the
Earth to be buried in a Christian-like and decent manner at the discretion of my
executor, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection, I shall receive the
same again by the mighty power of God, and retouching such worldly estate
wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this life, I give, devise, and
dispose of the same in the following manner:
Item: I give and bequeath to my son James, one tenant saw.
Item: I give to my son, John Nance, the remainder part of my land whereon I
now live, after his mother's death. Also my long gun, also one cow and yearling
commonly called his, also one sow and three young hogs commonly called his, also
two young ewes, the stow and gun, at my death, to him and his heirs.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Elizabeth Nance, after her mother's death, two
negro women, Venus and Fillis, also two cows and one calf, always called hers,
at my death, to her and her heirs.
Item: I give unto my son William, one negro boy called Ned, when he comes to
age, also one small gun, tohim and his heirs, also my wearing apparel.
Item: I give unto my daughter, Susannah Nance, after her mother's death, one
negro girl named Morning, also one gray mare, when she comes to age, to her and
her heirs.
Item: I give unto my son Zachariah Nance, after his mother's death, one negro
boy named Tom, to him and his heirs.
Also my will and desire is that all my remainder of my estate I give unto my
beloved wife during her life, and after her death, to be equally divided betwixt
my four youngest children, that is to Elizabeth, William, Susannah and
Zachariah. Also my desire is that my son James and Henry South are my whole and
sole executors of this my last will and testament.
Witness my hand and seal this 23rd day of December, 1771.
Zachariah Nance
In the presence of
Chas. Pearson
Henry Annistrad
Wm. Vaughn
N.B. - Also my will and desire is that my son, John Nance shall have my
wheelwright tools.
Probated March 4, 1772. Henry South becoming sole executor. James Nance, the other executor named in the will, appeared in court and renounced the executorship thereof.
Exhibit "H" (c)
In the name of God, Amen:
I, William Nance, of the Parish of Antrim, County of Halifax, and State of
Virginia, being weak in body but of sound mind and memory, thanks be to almighty
God, for the same, do make this my last will and testament, that is to say,
first of all, I recommend my soul to God that gave it, and my body to be buried
decently and in a Christian-like manner. Secondly, my will and desire is that
all my just debts and funeral charges be paid by my executor hereinafter
mentioned.
Item: I lend unto my son, Thomas Vaughan Nance, during his natural life, for
his and his family's maintainance, one negro man named Joe, one horse called and
known by the name of Prince, also the stock and furniture now in his possession.
My will and desire further is that all my land whereon I now live, be sold by
the trustees hereafter to be mentioned, and the money arising from the sale of
said land, to be laid out in land by the said trustees, where they shall think
proper, for the use and benefit of my son, Thomas, his wife and six youngest
children, during his and her natural life, and after his and her death, I give
and bequeath the land so purchased by the trustees, to my two grandsons, William
Nance, son of Thomas, and James Nance, son of Zachariah, to them and their heirs
forever. My will and desire further is that the residue of my estate lent to my
son Thomas, after his death and his wife's death, be equally divided among his
six youngest children, to them and their heirs forever. I also constitute and
appoint my son, Zachariah Nance and Daniel Palmer, trustees, to the estate lent
my son, Thomas, to sell my land as before mentioned, and apply the money arising
from such sale as before directed, and see that the estate so lent is not wasted
or taken away from the use and benefit of his children or self by any judgement
whatever or any other ways, but that it be kept by the said trustees to maintain
the said family as is directed.
Item: I give and bequeath to my son Zachariah Nance, one negro man named
Julius, and one negro woman named Julia, the latter now in his possession, and
her increase from the year 1791, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I lend unto my daughter, Elizabeth Palmer, one negro woman named Sew,
now in her possession, with her increase from the eighth of May, 1787, during
the natural life, and after her death to be equally divided among her children,
except the two eldest, to them and their heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Tucker, one negro man named
Charles, and one negro woman named Betty, now in her possession, and all her
increase, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Levinia Francis Bates, one
negro woman named Charlotte, and her increase from the year 1794; also one
feather bed and furniture with all the stock of household and kitchen furniture
now in her possession, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson, William Nance, son of Thomas
Vaughan Nance, one feather bed and furniture, and one mare colt that was got by
the horse Garrick, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Mary Vaughan Winters-Tucker,
one negro woman named Rachel (alial Frosty), and her child, Matt, with her
future increase; one feather bed and furniture, two cown and calves, and one sow
and pigs, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Mary Nance, one negro girl
named Rhoda, and her increase; also one feather bed and furniture now in her
possession, to her and her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my grandson, William Palmer, one negro boy named
Abram, now in his possession, to him and his heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to my granddaughter, Kitty Palmer, one negro girl
named Nellie, and her increase, also one feather bed and furniture, to her and
her heirs forever.
Item: I give and bequeath to James W. Bates, son of James Bates, one negro
boy named Elisha, son of Charlotte, to him and his heirs forever.
Further, my will and desire is that all the remainder of my estate that is
not already given, such as horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, crop of every kind,
and all kinds of household and kitchen furniture with every article of my estate
not already given, be sold by my executor hereafter to be mentioned, at twelve
month's credit, and the money arising from such sale, after paying all my just
debts, I give and bequeath one-half to my grandson, William Nance, son of
Thomas, to him and his heirs forever, and I give the other half to be equally
divided between my granddaughter, Martha Vaughan's (now deceased) two infant
children, to them and their heirs forever.
My will and desire is that the hands be kept together till the crop is
finished. Further, my will and desire is the two of my negroes, to wit, Lewis
and Bess, be free to act and do for themselves. I also desire that only that
part of my estate be appraised that is to be sold.
Lastly, I do hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my friend, Peter
Barksdale, executor of this my last will and testament, hereby revoking all
others.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this
28th day of October, 1801.
William Nance, (L.S.)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
William Snyder
Anthony Snyder
Entered for probate December 28, 1801. Josiah Clay
Exhibit "I"
The following is a list of deeds of record in the Clerk's office, Pittsylvania County, VA, in the name Nance, Viz:
Note: The following was originally in the form of a chart which could not be properly reproduced in computer format. The information is reproduced in line format instead.
Date/ Grantor/ County & State/ Grantee/ County/ Acres/ In presence of
1. March 11, 1785 /Edward Cahall /Pittsylvania, Va. /Clement Nance / Pittsylvania, VA. /4 /Giles Nance 2. March 9, 1790 /Peter Perkins /Pittsylvania, VA /Clement Nance / Pittsylvania, VA /254 /? 3. December 18, 1797 /Wm. Sutherland /Burke, NC /Clement Nance / Pittsylvania, VA /100 /? 4. December 29, 1797 /Clement Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /Mosias Nance / Pittsylvania, VA /125 /? 5. May 1, 1798 /Clement Nance & Jas. Denton /Pittsylvania, VA / R. McDonald /Pittsylvania, VA /70 /? 6. December 29, 1798 /Clement Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /Jos. Burton / Pittsylvania, VA /100 /Wm. Shaw, Mosias Nance 7. June 22, 1803 /Wm. Shaw /Mercer, KY /Clement Nance/Pittsylvania, VA /150 /? 8. November 11, 1811 /Wm. Shaw /Harrison, IN /Thos. Stacy / Pittsylvania, VA /150 /? 9. February 17, 1812 /Clement Nance, Newberry Dist., SC /Wm. Wilson / Pittsylvania, VA /100 /Wm. M. & Jno. Nance & Robt. Bullington 10. April 10, 1816 /Clement Nance & Mary, his wife /Harrison, IN /Reuben Curtis /Pittsylvania, VA /383 /? 11. November 3, 1786 /Wm. Ricketts & John Harris /Henry, VA & Pittsylvania, VA /Wm. Malone Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /100 /? 12. June 14, 1774 /Wm M. Nance & Elizabeth, wife /Pittsylvania, VA / Jas. Strange /Pittsylvania, VA /141 /? 13. July 26, 1797 /David Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /Wm. M. Nance /141 / Clement Nance, Jos. Jones, Wm. Howe Nance, John & Robt. Bullington 14. April 7, 1807 /Wm. H. Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /Wm. M. Nance / Pittsylvania, VA /113 /? 15. October 19, 1787 /Giles Nance /Amelia, VA /John Jones /Pittsylvania, VA /300 /? 16. October 4, 1796 /Giles Nance /Nottoway, VA /Robt. Bullington / Pittsylvania, VA /122 /? 17. October 30, 1796 /Giles Nance /Nottoway, VA /Robt. Bullinton / Pittsylvania, VA /72 /Wm. M. & David Nance 18. October 30, 1796 /Giles Nance /Nottoway, VA /Peter Cahall / Pittsylvania, VA /33 /Wm. M. & David Nance 19. October 30, 1796 /Giles Nance /Nottoway, VA /Clement Nance / Pittsylvania, VA /54 /Wm. M. & David Nance 20. October 26, 1796 /Clement Nance /Nottoway, VA /David & Wm. Nance, orphans of David Nance /Nottoway, Va /270 /Wm. M. Nance 21. December 27, 1802 /Giles Nance /Wake, NC /Wm. Wilson / Pittsylvania, VA /57 /? 22. December 2, 1809 /Giles Nance /Wake, NC /Johathan Branson / Pittsylvania, VA /100 /? 23. February 12, 1805 /Mosias Nance & Peggy, his wife / Pittsylvania, VA / Fuller Harris /Pittsylvania, VA /125 /Wm. M. Nance 24. November 13, ??? /Wm. H. Nance /Pittsylvania, VA /Pleasant Mahan / Pittsylvania, VA /100 /?
Exhibit "J"
Will of Mosias Jones
In the name of God, Amen:
I, Mosias Jones, of Pittsylvania County, State of Virginia, being weak in
body but of perfect mind and memory, being sensible that I am near my latter
end, do make and ordain this to be my land will and testament. I resign my soul
into the hands of Almighty God who gave it, and my body to the Earth, to be
interred at the discretion of my friends, with the sure and certain hope of the
resurrection to eternal life at the last day, and dispose of my worldly goods in
the manner and form following:
First, I do constitute and ordain Clement Nance to be my executor, and who is
to get a lawful right and title to my land, whereon I now live, and to sell and
dispose thereof, to the best advantage, out of which he must be paid for his
trouble and expense. Also I give and bequeath unto my three daughters, Susannah
Jones, Martha Jones and Dianitia Jones, and my granddaughter, Henrietta Jones,
all the balance of the price of the above mentioned land, to be equally divided
between them four.
Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Elizabeth James, one shilling
sterling. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter, Mary Nance, one shilling
sterling. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter, Nancy Lee, one shilling
sterling. Also I give and bequeath to my daughter, Wilmith Massey, one shilling
sterling. Also I give and bequeath to my son, Buckner Jones, one shilling
sterling. Also I give and bequeath to Lydda Clarke, all my household goods and
kitchen furniture, to be by her possessed at my death.
In witness whereof I do hereby set my hand and affix my seal to this my last
will and testament, this eighteenth day of August, one thousand seven hundred
and ninety six.
Mosias M. Jones, (L.S.)
Signed, sealed and acknowledged in the presence of
Henry Lansford, John May,
Isam Lansford, Samuel Strong
Probated October 17, 1796.
Exhibit "K"
Art in the family
Mr. Robert Morton Nance, son of W. E. Nance of Cardiff, Wales, who has assisted the author so much, is a young man who is gaining some notoriety as an artist. He is too modest to speak much of himself and will not consent that his father shall do so.
After several attempts the author has gained his consent to use the following over his own signature. He has reason to believe that much stronger language might be used, showing his work is being received by those from this country as well as in Europe, where it has been shown exclusively until now. Members of the family visiting the fair will no doubt seek out this work or our old country cousin.
23 Westbourne Road,
Penarth, S. Wales, May 5, 1904
Geo. W. Nance, Esquire
Dear Sir:
My father has asked me to write out a few facts concerning my work, which you apparently think would come into the scope of your family history.
I hope I am only yet at the outset of my professional career,and there seems very little to say. I have had the usual experience among artist of feeling my way to the type of work that is most congenial, and after a few years of varied work, book illustrations, figure painting and various kinds of decorative work, I seem to have found in painting subjects taken from the old romantic days of sefaring, I had an outlet for the slowly accumulting knowledge of old shipping that I had, and also for a love of decorating lines and colors. I have since then devoted myself almost entirely to that class of work, exhibiting it mostly in London, though I was represented at the Tunic Exibition by a screen, "The Three Ships of Columbus" (which you may be interested to know was sold to an American), and I am also showing a screen at St. Louis, in the English Applied Art Section, the subject being "Blake and Van Troup."
Yours very truly,
R. Morton Nance
In the Pantheon at Paris, there is a beautiful memorial tablet with this inscription, "Charles Victor DeNance."
In the Field Museum, in the Fine Arts Building of the World's Fair, Chicago, is an exhibit located in the Gallery of the West Court, directly above "Alcove 105." It consists of a jar of what appears to be bark, and a card bearing the inscription, "Corteza De Nance, Baja Veradaz, Gautemala." The number is 1580.
Dr. Willis O. Nance, Chicago, came across both the tablet and the exhibit.
"Nansemond," one of the original eight counties into which the Dominion was divided for local administration in 1634, was the Indian word for "persimmon" and had no relation whatsoever to our family name.
I have the name (only the name) of Captain Thomas Nance of Elizabeth City County, in 1688.
In 1634, the Dominion of Virginia was divided into eight Shires or Counties: Elizabeth City, Warwick, York, James City, Charles City, Prince George, Isle of Wight and Nansemond. Surry was erected from Isle of Wight in 1652. Brunswick form Surry in 1720. Lunenburg from Brunswick in 1742. Halifax and Bedford from Lunenburg in 1752 and 1753, respectively. Pittsylvania from Halifax in 1767.
Abbreviations
In the body of the work: b stands for born h stands for husband d stands for dead or died w stands for wife m stands for married One year following a name is year of birth. Two years with a hyphen between is year of birth and death. In the indexes: tr stamds for trunk t stands for twig l stands for limb f stands for family b stands for branch ta stands for table
This ends the transcription of the NANCE MEMORIAL
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