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Historical records matching Gilbert Elam, Jr.
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About Gilbert Elam, Jr.
Gilbert's son Robert is purportedly the ancestor of film actor Jack Elam, but I have not yet made this connection by research [Harry Kenneth Doggett]
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From the Hatcher Family Association with reference to the wives of Gilbert Elam:
http://hatcherfamilyassn.com/getperson.php?personID=I40641&tree=Wmt...
It has long been believed that Gilbert Elam's only wife was Mary Hatcher, dau of Edward Hatcher. A clerical error in an early Hatcher deed appears to have contributed to this belief. Two deeds need to be analyzed to see how this error occurred.
The below deed with the reference to "my father Edward Hatcher" indicates this is Edward Hatcher Jr.
- Henrico County, Virginia, Wills and Deeds, 1677-1705
- Compiled by Benjamin B Weisinger III, p.422 Three years since, my father EDWARD Hatcher gave to my daughter Mary Hatcher 1 sow pig which has increased to 3 head of hogs, killed by me this year; therefore for love & affection to my said daughter, give her 1 black cow calf. Also I have one brown heifer whose increase was given to my said daughter by John Jameson. I also give to my other daughter Martha Hatcher 1 yearling black cow calf. If either daughter die under age 17, the other is to get her share.
- 1 Feb. 1686
- Wit: Hen. Randolph, Wm Hatcher
- Signed: Edward (EH) Hatcher
- Recorded 1 Feb. 1686
The following deed clearly belongs to Edward Sr, the father.
- Henrico County, Virginia, Wills and Deeds, 1677-1705
- Compiled by Benjamin B Weisinger III, p.530 Edward Hatcher, Sr. of Henrico Co., for love & affection to my son John Hatcher, land where I dwell, bounded by the river, by land given by me to my son William Hatcher, and by the swamp, 42 2/3 acres. If John dies without issue, then to my son Seth Hatcher. Also I give to my son Edward Hatcher 46 2/3 acres between his brother John and Henry Loone, and IF HE DIES WITHOUT ISSUE, then to my son Seth. To my son Seth Hatcher, all the plantable highland between his brother William and mouth of Reed Marsh branch.
- 20 Nov. 1694
- Wit: Edward Tanner, Wm Cocke
- Signed: Edward (EH) Hatcher
- Recorded 1 Dec. 1694
Note first that in this deed dated 8 years AFTER the deed where Edward "Jr" identifies his daughters as Mary and Martha, Edward Sr indicates both John and Edward Jr as of 1694 have no issue. This conflicts with the 1686 deed indicating Edward Jr DOES have issue. It might be said that both of these daughters have died before 1694, but other evidence must be considered.
First, note that both deeds are signed by Edward (EH) Hatcher. It is inconceivable, since these marks were used to identify one particular individual, that both father and son would be signing documents with the same mark.
Secondly, in checking other deeds for Edward Sr, we find that up to at least 1688, Edward was named without title. In 1694 he is now identified as Edward Sr. This tells us that Edward Jr was born between 1668 and 1673. If Jr was born as early as 1668, he would have been only 18 in 1686 with 2 daus and the implication he must have been married at age 15-16 AND signing a document using his father's mark.
The above evidence clearly suggests that the earlier deed recorded Feb 1686 pertains to Edward Sr and that a clerical error was made in identifying his father as Edward Hatcher instead of William Hatcher.
What cannot be determined with any degree of accuracy is exactly when these documents were written as it is clear they were recorded an unknown number of years after the fact.
The best that can be determined is that the gifts to Edward's daughters by William Hatcher and John Jameson could have been made as late as early 1680. If made after late 1678, with Edward referring to his daughter as Mary Hatcher, she could not have been the wife of John Burton and thus must have been Gilbert's 2nd wife.
The Burton records show that it was the widow Mary Burton who married Gilbert Elam shortly after John Burton's death c1679-80. And this Mary was alive at least up to 1687 when she is in court on matters pertaining to her young daughter's death.
Mary Hatcher must be Gilbert Elam's 2nd wife, married sometime after 1687 and because very little evidence has been found to establish the birth dates of the children of Gilbert Elam, it is not possible at this time to determine which belonged to which mother except for Gilbert and Robert "to be of age at 17", indicating both were born after 1680 and likely the sons of the first wife.
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- 1659 - Gilbert Elam Junior is born in this year, assuming age of 27 years old given in 1686 court deposition is correct.
- 1682, April - Inventory of estate of John Burton Jr decd, given to his wife and child by Wills (sic) " presented to the court by Gilbert Elam, Junior, 1 April 1682, and signed by "Mary Burton now his wife."
- 1682, April 1.- Mary Burton widow, married to Gilbert Elam by this date. (see probate of estate of John Burton Jr.)
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Will filed 9/18/1697 and proved 12/5/1697 HenricoCo, VA. (W & D 1697-1704, P42.)
Will of Gilbert Elam, Henrico County, Virginia dtd. 18 Sept. 1697
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WILL OF GILBERT ELAM, JR., EXCERPT:
- To son Gilbert Elam part of plantation whereon I live, land marked and laid out by Robert Hancock and William Clark.
- To son William Elam land on North side of Falling Creek except 50 acres to son Robert Elam and 50 acres more to son Gilbert Elam.
- To daughter Mary Elam largest gold ring and silver bodkin.
- To daughter Ann Elam other gold ring and silver bodkin.
- To daughter Martha Elam, items.
- To daughter Sarah Elam, items.
- To daughter Elizabeth Elam, items.
- To daughter Obedience, 1 new pewter dish and 1 sow.
- To son Robert Elam my large Bible when of lawful age.
- To son Gilbert Elam silver spoon marked with his name
- To sons Gilbert and Robert to be of age at 17.
- To son William Elam a musket at my house.
- To son Robert Elam to live with my father-in-law Edward Hatcher.
- Gilbert Elam to tarry with his God Father William Hatcher until he is 17.
- Wife Mary Elam to be executrix.
- Witnesses: Edward Ward, Gilbert Elam, William Hatcher, Charles Roberts
- Will written 18 Sep. 1697, probated 5 Dec. 1697, Henrico Co., VA.
Origins
Gilbert Elam, Sr. was baptized at Thurnscoe Parish, Yorkshire, on May 11, 1630. He came to Virginia about 1650 with his brother Martin. He married Ann Elam, apparently his cousin, perhaps around 1657. In 1671 he patented 867 acres on the south side of the James in what is now Chesterfield County. Subsequently he patented a huge tract of 2015 acres in Varina, on the north side of the river, with his son Gilbert Jr. and Edward Ward. In his will, proved in Henrico County Court June 1, 1696, he names four children, sons Gilbert and Thomas and daughters Elizabeth and Mary.
Sources:
- 1. Henrico County, VA Will Book 1697-1704, pg. 42.
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Gilbert Elam, Jr.'s Timeline
| 1659 |
1659
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Henrico County, Virginia Colony
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| 1680 |
1680
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Henrico, Virginia, United States
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| 1682 |
1682
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Henrico, Virginia, United States
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| 1684 |
1684
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Henrico, Virginia, United States
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1684
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Dale Parish, Henrico County, Virginia Colony
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1684
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Dale Parish, Chesterfield County Colonial America, VA, United States
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| 1688 |
1688
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Henrico County, Virginia, USA
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| 1691 |
March 18, 1691
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Henrico, Henrico County, Virginia, United States
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