Henry Ligon, of Prince Edward County

Biography

Updated 23 August 2023

Henry Ligon was born circa 1687 in Virginia Colony. His parents were Richard Ligon and Mary Ligon (Worsham). He died between November 12, 1759 (will written) and December 14, 1762 (will probated) in Prince Edward County, Province of Virginia.

1.4.2 Henry Ligon b abt 1687 Henrico Co., VA. married 2nd about 1734 to Sarah Ligon (daughter of William ll Ligon and Elizabeth Batte). Some studies show her as daughter of William Ligon l and Mary Tanner, a generation earlier.

According to Purse and Persons, Sarah Ligon, his second wife, was a cousin of Henry’s. In her 1784 will, Sarah Ligon named Thomas and Elizabeth her “son in law” and “daughter in law.” The terminology of the time was to describe step children as “in laws.” The spouses of children were described in wills as “wife of” or “husband of.”

If there are documented birth dates, please advise. All seen so far are estimated.

Based on the wills of Henry and Sarah, we see his children as:

Children of Henry Ligon and an unnamed first wife:

1. Thomas Ligon, died after 1785. Not named in Henry’s 1762 will. Named in Sarah’s will as son in law. (Step son?) no further information.
2. Elizabeth4 Ligon. Named in Henry’s 1762 will as daughter. Named “Elizabeth Ligon” in Sarah’s 1784 will as daughter in law, suggesting she was unmarried. Did she marry Mr. Mason? Mr. Mason. Issue, Mary5 Mason. In her will dated 1784, Elizabeth4 Ligon’s mother mentions “Granddaughter, Mary Mason.” (Step daughter or daughter in law?)

Children of Henry Ligon (d. Betw 1759 - 1762) and his cousin Sarah Ligon (d. 1785), born in Virginia:

1. 27. Henry4 Ligon. Married Elizabeth __ (Howson) before 1756; died about 1778, Prince Edward County.
2. 28. William4 Ligon. According to his DAR record, he was born circa 1637. (See DAR Genealogical Research Databases, database online, (http://www.dar.org/ : accessed 23 August 2023), "Record of William Ligon", Ancestor # A070349.) Married Edith Turner, November 14, 1759; Will recorded 21 January 1788.
3. Sarah4 Ligon; m. Mr. Atwood. Issue: James5 Atwood, Elizabeth Ligon5 Atwood, Mary5 Atwood, William5 Atwood, and John5 Atwood.
4. Perhaps: v. Daughter, - 4 Ligon, m. Thomas Ligon. “This daughter evidently died before 1784, as Sarah Ligon only mentions “son-in-law, Thomas Ligon” in her will. [Note: there wasn’t a missing Thomas, son in law was her step son.] Or perhaps this was an unnamed daughter who married a Thomas Ligon, or also Mr. Mason. Issue, Mary5 Mason. In her will dated 1784, Elizabeth4 Ligon’s mother mentions “Granddaughter, Mary Mason.”

Henry's will was dated 12 Nov 1759 in Prince Edward Co., VA. He named his wife Sarah & children: Henry Ligon, Elizabeth Ligon, William Ligon & Sarah Ligon. Executors were to be his wife, Sarah & son, Henry. Wit: Chas Anderson, Nathan Hall, Henry Lister. The will was recorded 14 Dec 1762.

• [98] Henry Ligon's will was probated 14 Dec 1769 (Prince Edward Co, VA WB 1, pp 52-53) and his wife Sarah also left a will probated Jan 1785 (Prince Edward Co, VA WB l,pp 352-53). According to Meyer, Purse andPerson, p 360, Sarah was Sarah Ligon, a cousin of Henry's.
• [99] "Prince Edward County, VA Will Bk No l,p6. Abstract of Wills Bks 1-7, 1754-1837 (G.S.U, 1940) p 52, FHLBk 975.5632 P28p

Source: Tuttle Dorothy G and Larry E Washam. “Worsham & Washam Family History.” (2000). Page 18. (document attached)

Thomas and Elizabeth Ligon were Sarah (Ligon) Ligon’s stepchildren by an unnamed first wife of Henry Ligon.

Source: John Frederick Dorman, “Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1624/5: Families G-P” (2004) (page 275, footnote 113. < GoogleBooks >; (document attached)

https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/132801/I416/henry-ligon/individual
Name: Henry LIGON
Sex: M
Birth: ABT 1690
Death: 1762 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia
Person Id: I416
Tree Id: 132801
Father:
Richard LIGON: Birth: ABT 1666 in Henrico Co., Virginia. Death: 4 APR 1724 in Henrico Co., Virginia
Mother:
Mary WORSHAM: Birth: abt 1658/1659 in Henrico Co., Virginia. Death: 1724 in Henrico Co., Virginia

Family
Marriage:
Married: Sarah LIGON on BEF 1720.
Sarah LIGON: Birth: ABT 1688. Death: 1785 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia
Children:

1. Henry LIGON: Birth: ABT 1720. Death: BEF 15 AUG 1778
2. Elizabeth LIGON: Birth: ABT 1722.
3. William LIGON: Birth: ABT 1724. Death: 1788 in Prince Edward Co., Virginia
4. Sarah LIGON: Birth: ABT 1726.
5. ? LIGON: Birth: ABT 1728.

Notes
a. Note: N2817 Virginia Land Patents - Book 17, p211-212 Date 13 Dec 1736, Peter JONES and wife Dorothy and Henry BATTE and wife Elizabeth contract 1600 acres in Henrco Co. N. side of Appomattox River and known by name of Cunneecock...was granted to Abraham WOOD for 700aces from 20 Oct 1642 and conveyed to Dorothy and Elizabeth (likely heirs) neaxt to Major John BOLLINGs line...on to Thomas OLIVERs and Henry LIGONs lines...etc.

Sarah Ligon married her cousin Henry Ligon [3520.3.2], the son of Richard Ligon and Mary Worsham, before 1734. He held 100 acres in Henrico County on Swift Creek he sold to Henry Clay [1848.5] in 1734. In 1736 Henrico County taxed Henry Ligon on two levies and 150 acres. Henry owned land in Brunswick, Prince Edward, and Amelia Counties. He secured a patent to 618 acres on Mountain Creek in Amelia (now Prince Edward) County in 1737. In 1740 Henry bought 486 acres from Samuel Hudson and his wife, Druscilla, for £55. A 150-acre portion of this land had belonged to his father-in-law, William Ligon. Henry appeared as a tithable in Amelia County first in 1741. On 25 July 1746, Henry added 154 acres by patent to his Mountain Creek property and obtained a patent for 400 acres on the lower side of the Sandy River in an area that became Prince Edward County. The next year, on 17 March 1746/7, Henry sold his 400-acre patent of land to Thomas Sanders of St. Martin Parish, Hanover County, for £20. Henry got 150 acres from his father-in-law by deed dated 28 April 1746. In 1742 Amelia County appointed Henry Ligon a surveyor to replace George Walker. Perhaps anticipating his death, Henry sold 772 acres on Mountain Creek to his son Henry Jr. for £55 in September 1757. The elder Henry Ligon died in Prince Edward County (will dated 12 Nov. 1759, recorded 14 Dec. 1769). His ten slaves and other property had a value of £521:5:3. Prince Edward County charged Sarah Ligon with four tithable slaves and 318 acres of land in 1767. Sarah Ligon died in Prince Edward County in 1785 (will dated 4 July 1784, recorded Jan. 1785). She wanted them not to appraise her estate after she died. Yet the Prince Edward court ordered an appraisement and they valued twelve slaves at £631.

Descendants

Children of Henry and Sarah (Ligon) Ligon:

• Henry Ligon Jr. [880.1.1] was born in Virginia and married Elizabeth before 1756. She may have been a Howson because they named a son “John Howson Ligon.” Henry Ligon sold Thomas Harrison Haskins [3522.4.3.1] 100 acres on the west side of Mountain Creek in Prince Edward County July 1763. He paid on four tithables in Prince Edward County in 1773 and died in Prince Edward County before 15 August 1778 when they appraised his estate. Prince Edward County listed “Elizabeth Ligon” head of a household of seven whites and three blacks in 1783 and twelve whites in 1785. She was still living there in 1793. On 4 November 1807, Elizabeth and her son Henry and his wife sold 1003⁄4 acres on Mountain Creek to John Rowlett [W.1.5.2.1.9].
  • Sarah Ligon [880.1.1.1] married a Holt before 4 July 1784.
  • William Ligon [880.1.1.2] married Sarah Herring, daughter of Arthur Herring of Lunenburg County. In 1785 Prince Edward County listed “Wm Ligon” head of a household of five whites. They say he had ten children. William Ligon served in the Revolution and died in Tennessee in 1838.
  • John Howson Ligon [880.1.1.3] (1761-c.1845) married Elizabeth Guill, the daughter of Alexander Guill, in Prince Edward County 23 December 1790. Elizabeth came from a large family for her father was head of a household of thirteen in Prince Edward County in 1783. John Ligon served more than six months in the Revolution but never saw action. In February 1798 John bought 100 acres in Halifax County from William Ligon. In March 1801 John Ligon “of Cumberland County” bought 90 acres on VAUGHANs Creek in Prince Edward County. He and his wife sold this land to Josiah Gill in September 1805. John lived in Halifax County, Virginia, until about 1810 when he went to Smith County, Tennessee, and later to neighboring Wilson County. He and his wife were the parents of eight children.
    • Henry Ligon [880.1.1.4] (-1808) married Elizabeth Smith in Prince Edward County 16 November (bond) 1801. Her parents were Henry Smith and Mary. William Marshall was bondsman. They had a daughter before Henry died. Widow Elizabeth married second Arnold Thompson in Prince Edward in 1812. Prince Edward County recorded the estate account that Elizabeth and her husband delivered on 1 January 1823.
    • Phoebe Ligon [880.1.1.5] married Stephen Dickerson Turner in Prince Edward County 5 January 1792. He was from Charlotte County, the son of Keziah (—) Turner.
    • Lucy Ligon [880.1.1.6] married Armistead Pamplin of Prince Edward County 21 January 1793. They moved to Lincoln County, Tennessee, and were the parents of eight children.
• Elizabeth Ligon [880.1.2] married a Mason as her mother identified a granddaughter, Mary Mason, in her will.
• William Ligon [880.1.3] married Edith Turner, the daughter of John Turner and his wife, Mary, in Prince Edward County 14 November 1759. Prince Edward County listed William head of a family of six in 1785 and he furnished supplies to the Continental Army during the Revolution. William died in Prince Edward County in 1788 (will dated 21 Dec. 1787 , recorded 21 Jan. 1788) naming the following four sons in his will.
  • John Turner Ligon Sr. [880.1.3.1] (9 Sept. 1760) was living alone in 1785 when Prince Edward County counted heads. He married Jane Haskins [3522.4.3.2.3.3] on 11 April (bond) 1786. John and Jane made several conveyances of land in Prince Edward County. On 25 February 1792, they conveyed 235 acres in Prince Edward County to John Deshazer and on 18 February 1804, they sold 596 acres on the Sandy River to James Ligon. John Turner Ligon inherited land from his brother Henry and sold it to William Ligon in 1817. He twice conveyed land to sons on 12 January 1822: 4843⁄4 acres to
    • William H. Ligon [880.1.3.1.6] and 4831⁄2 acres to
    • John Turner Ligon Jr. [880.1.3.1.4]. The Richmond Enquirer reported John’s death in their issue of 14 May 1822. He left no will and the court made his son John Turner Ligon Jr. the administrator. He left eight children all born in Prince Edward County.
    • Ann Haskins Ligon [880.1.3.1.1] (8 Jan. 1791 - 3 Aug. 1850) married Williamson Foster (- 26 Nov. 1848), son of George Foster and Judith Price, in Prince Edward County 20 April 1813. They moved to Arkansas.
    • Mary Ligon [880.1.3.1.2] (23 Aug. 1792 - 31 July 1816).
    • Martha C. Ligon [880.1.3.1.3].
    • John Turner Ligon Jr. [880.1.3.1.4] married second Agnes B. Leigh, daughter of Paschal Greenhill Leigh and Elizabeth Archer Scott [3522.1.4.3.5.5], 6 September (bond) 1830. They lived at “Aspen Hall” in Prince Edward County.
    • Phoebe Haskins Ligon [880.1.3.1.5].
    • William H. Ligon [880.1.3.1.6].
    • Benjamin Haskins Ligon [880.1.3.1.7].
    • Tabitha Jane Ligon [880.1.3.1.8] (3 Mar. 1809).
  • Henry Ligon [880.1.3.2] (-1809) married Martha Wooten in Prince Edward County 21 March (bond) 1785. “Patty” was the daughter of William Wooten (1740) and Lucy Owen. A Henry Ligon was an ensign in the Prince Edward County Militia. Henry died in Prince Edward County before December 1809 when Jack Rice, John Booth, and Thomas Branch appraised his estate. Patty married second William Dobbs in Prince Edward County in 1813.
  • Joseph Ligon [880.1.3.3] (-1808) married Ann Clarke, a daughter of Thomas Clarke and Agnes McGehee [1808.6.12]. They were the parents of five children. Joseph died before 15 February 1808 when three Prince Edward County citizens inventoried his personal estate. His trustees sold a tract of land belonging to his heirs to Jacob McGehee Jr. on 14 February 1816. The buyer was probably the son of Jacob McGehee [1808.6.9]. Ann conveyed land to her brother Thomas Clarke in 1819. Ann died in Prince Edward County (will dated 2 Dec. 1842, recorded 17 Oct. 1843).
  • William Ligon [880.1.3.4] (c.1765- 13 Mar. 1839) married Sarah Leigh [3522.L1.4], daughter of John Leigh and his wife, Elizabeth Greenhill, in Prince Edward County 28 September (bond) 1793. They had seven children.
• Sarah Ligon [880.1.4] married an Atwood. Their children were James Atwood, Elizabeth Ligon Atwood, Mary Atwood, William Atwood, and John Atwood.
• daughter Ligon [880.1.5] married Thomas Ligon. His mother-in-law identified Thomas in her will but we do not know who he was. This daughter died before her mother wrote her will in 1784.

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Origins

Predeceased his mother, so not named in her will written 1702:

Will of Mary Ligon, Henrico County, Virginia (1697-1704 Book), pp. 366-367

• In the name of God amen. I Mary Lygon Senr of Henrico Cot’y Virga being weak of body but of perfect memory praised be to God doe wille make and ordain this my last will & testament in manner & form following:
• Impms: I give and bequeath my soule to God my Creatr & Redeemer my body to be buried at the dicreshon of my daughter Joan Hancock in sure and her leisure hopef [torn] joyfull Resurrecion at ye Last Day. …
• … Item: I give and bequeath unto my grandson Henry Lygon one young horse

Source: < PDF > posted at https://www.wikitree.com/photo/pdf/Harris-1880-3

References

1. Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections. Volume l. (1947) https://archive.org/details/ligonfamilyconne01ligo. Person # 11. Children of Richard Ligon and Mary Worsham, page 351-352. < Archive.Org >. Will, Page 379 < Archive.Org >. Issue: page 381-382. < Archive.Org >
2. Tuttle, Dorothy G., Washam, Larry E. “Worsham and Washam family history.” (2000) http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idurl/1/585974 (Free membership needed to view) age number 18 Page viewer number 32 (of 883) Page link: http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/585974/32 See (document attached)
3. John Frederick Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1624/5: Families G-P (Genealogical Press 2004); chapter: "Thomas Harris", page 275, footnote 113. < GoogleBooks >
4. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ligon-56 (accessed 23 August 2023).
5. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LXS2-99B (accessed 23 August 2023). Lists parents as Richard Ligon & Mary Worsham, wife as Sarah A. Tanner [sic: should be Ligon] (1698-1785) m. 1729. 5 children: Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Sarah, William, daughter. Cites
   1. 1757 Henry Ligon Sr and Sarah, his wife; Henry Ligon Jr in Prince Edward County, Virginia Deed Bk 1 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKV-KSTG-G