Elizabeth Jeffers

https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Jeffers-493

The maiden name of Ann [SIC: Mary] was Jeffers, not Jeffries. A Northumberland VA record dated 7 July 1656 refers to a prenuptual agreement between William Jeffers (Ann's brother) and his wife Elizabeth Austin (Fleet, p. 553). The record suggests they were already living as husband and wife prior to the marriage. Later that month (21 July 1656) at a court hearing, a Mary Laud gave testimony to a vigorous dispute that broke out between Mrs.Walker (=Ann) and her brother William Jeffers at the funeral of John Meekes in November of 1655 at Northumberland Co. VA regarding Elizabeth's moral status. Laud's testimony (Fleet, p. 562) claimed that Ann insulted her brother by accusing Elizabeth of being a fallen woman, whereas her brother defended her reputation, calling her "an honest woman" (Fleet, p. 562). In her insult, Ann referred to Elizabeth as "the Fiddler's wife", possibly an indication that Elizabeth was still married to another man. Brother William Jeffers' age in the document is given as 31 or thereabouts as of 21 July 1656 (Fleet, p. 554).

1652-1658 Northumberland County, Virginia Record Book; ©[Frank V. Walczyk]
[Page 89 R]
William Jeffars his agreement with Elizabeth Austen his now wife.
To all Christian people or to whom this shall [-] Know you that whereas I William Jeffars and Elizabeth Austen both of the County of Northumberland in [--] do intend by the blessing of God solomnly to [--] selves in the Holy Estate of wedlock and she the said Elizabeth Austen doth and hath firmly agree to [--] him the said Wlliam Jeffars that he the said Jeffars shall [-] from the day and year within mentioned and forever here [- ] neither demand claim nor have any title or interest [-] two cows now in the custody and belonging to her the said Elizabeth Austen and that she the said Elizabeth during [--] life shall have hold every claim and enjoy the aforesaid [] cows with all their increase both male and female and after the said Elizabeth decease they [--] and [--] unto her child or children that shall be born in wedlock by William Jeffars and not any other husband after his decease and [-] said two cows with their increase shall be given by her the said Elizabeth Austen to one child or more as she shall please and the names of the aforesaid two cows so reserved by her the said Elizabeth goeth by the names of, "Broad and Browning" and marked the left ear cropt and slit and the right. ear with a hole in it, unto this condition and agreement I William Jeffars do bind myself to the [-] performance of all that is above specified in the sum penalty of ten thousand pounds of good sound Virginia tobacco and cask at all demands to be paid in case [-] condition shall be made void by me andto the truth I have put to my hand and seal this 7th day of July 1656.

William Jeffars
Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of us;
Henry Clarke, Robert Hitchcocke, John Trussell
21st July 1656, this agreement was acknowledged in court
by William Jeffars and is recorded.

1658-1662 Northumberland County, Virginia Record Book, Part 1; [Antient Press]; Page 70
THESE PR:SENTS Wittness that wee WILLIAM JEFFARS and ELIZABETH JEFFARS
hath sold unto SAMUELL BONAM one black heifer cropt on the left eare & slitt
and a hole in the right, for which heifer wee the foresaid doe acknowledge to have received full satisfaction & doe warrt, the sd, heifer to ye sd. BONAM or his assignes from all claimes of any p:sons whatsoever; As Wittness our hands the 8th 9ber. 1661
THOMAS DUNCKATON his marke WM: JEFFERS his marke
ELIZABETH JEFFERS her marke
21th January 1661. This Bill of Sale was recorded

References

• Virginia Colonial Abstracts. By Beverley Fleet. Page 501. GoogleBooks
• https://www.colonial-settlers-md-va.us/getperson.php?personID=I7172...