Capt. Francis James, Jr.

VIRGINIA MAGAZINE OF HISTORY AND BIOGRAPHY VOL. XIII PP. 71-72, 73, 74.

PG 71-72

...Accounts were settled with Capn. Francis James, and there appears due him from the parish for having built the church 5286 pounds of tobacco, in accordance with which, as well as for 650 lbs. due to Capn. Rapine, etc., a levy was made of 40 pounds per tithable, if sufficient or 52 otherwise...

The contract made with Captain James is noted above under October 24, 1730, Cf. Va. Magazine of History and Biography, XII, 4, p. 380. In accordance with this contract, the full amount, 21,600 pounds, was to be paid in three years from date. See below under date of June 16, 1733.

PG. 73

June 16, 1733

      The vestry the same day settled accounts with Captain James. In accordance with the account which we made with him, we have paid him twenty thousand, nine hundred and eighty-one pounds of tobacco, and we owe six hundred and nineteen pounds. 

PG 74

February 4, 1731/2

      The vestry agreed with Cp. Franc James to make the flooring for the vestry and shutters for the windows of the church for five pounds, payable in wheat at three shillings per bushel, delivered at Waric, in maize at eighteen pence per bushel, delivered at Mr. Rapines. 

WILL OF FRANCIS JAMES

      IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I FRANCIS JAMES OF CUMBERLAND COUNOOTY BEING OF SOUND MIND & MEMORY THANKS BE TO ALMIGHTY GOD FOR IT DO MAKE CONSTITUTE & ORDAIN THIS WRITETING TO BE MY LAST WILL & TESTAMENT THIS TWENTY SEVENTH DAY OF JULY ONE THOUSAND SEVEN HUNDRED & FIFTY SIX IN MANER AND FORM FOLLOWING THAT IS TO SAY.  ITEM I GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO MY GRAN DAUGHTER ELIZEBETH JAMES AS HEIR AT LAW OF MY SON FRANCIS JAMES DEC'D FIVE POUNDS CURRENT MONEY.  ITEM I GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO MY GRAN DAUGHTER CHRISTINA MEREDITH & TO HER HEIRS FOREVER ONE NEGRO BOY NAMED WILL NOW IN THE POSSESSION OF WILLIAM CLARKE.  ITEM I GIVE AND BEQUEATH TO MY LOVING WIFE MARY JAMES FOR EVER FOUR NEGROS, VIZ. YORK, NANCEY, HANAH & DAVIE, ALSO ONE FETHER BED & FURNITURE.  ITEM I GIVE THE USE OF THE ONE MOIETY OF ALL THE REST OF MY ESTATE  (INCLUDING THE AFORESAID SLAVES ) TO MY SAID WIFE DURING HER NATTURAL LIFE EXCEPT ONE LOTT OF LAND IN BEVERLY TOWN) AND AS SHALL BE FURTHER EXCEPTED.  ITEM I GIVE AND BEQUEATH UNTO MY SON RICHARD JAMES AND TO HIS HEIRS FOREVER ALL MY LANDS & OTHER ESTATE (EXCEPT) WHAT HATH BEEN BEFORE EXCEPTED ALSO AFTER HIS MOTHER'S DEC'D I GIVE TO MY SAID SON RICHARD JAMES & TO HIS HEIRS ALL THAT PART OF THE ESTATE I BEFORE LENT HER.  ITEM MY WILL IS THAT THE WHOLE OF MY ESTATE SHALL BE KEPT TOGETHER BY MY EXECUTORS TILL ALL MY JUST DEBTS ARE PAID AND THEN TO GO & DECEND IN MANNER AFORESAID.  ITEM MY WILL & DESIRE IS THAT THEIR BE NO APPRAISMENT OF MY ESTATE AND I DO NOMINATE CONSTITUTE & APPOINT MY SAID WIFE BENNETT GOODE RICHARD JAMES & WILLIAM MEGGINSON EXECUTORS TO THIS MY LAST WILL & TESTAMENT MAKING VOID ALL OTHERS BEFORE SIGNED 

                            FRA'S JAMES (SIGNATURE) 

Added; 07/20/2021

p. 596, Deed - Francis James of Goochland Co., carpenter, sells Jno Goode of Henrico Co., carpenter, for L 10, 173 acres in Henrico Co., on S. side of James River, Adjs land of said Goode, Stoney Creek, etc. Signed Francis James. Wit: Alex Trent, James Harris, Thomas Harris, Jno. Coupland, William Miller. Rec. 1st Monday in Feb. 1636/37 (Henrico County, Southside, 1736, Back Matter, Appendix, p. 87).

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Francis James in his will, proved 26 May 1760 (1-196), mentions his wife Mary, son Richard, and granddaughter Christina Meredith (Some of the Descendants of Edward Goode, Edward H. West, National Genealogical Society Quarterly, December 1957, Vol. 45, No. 4, p. 211).

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His will is on page 196, Cumberland County Wills. It was made on July 7, 1756 and proven May 26, 1760. He mentions his granddaughter Elizabeth James, daughter of his deceased son, Francis James. Also granddaughter Christina Meredith. Christina, daughter of Martha James when she was married to her first husband. He gives Christina a slave "now in the custody of William Clarke". Only mentions one other child, his son, Richard James. Since daughters, Martha and Phoebe, are in their mother's will, it is unlikely they are deceased.

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Contributor: David Goode (49372965)