Mary "Molly" Bird

Evidence suggests that Samuel Bird of Franklin Co. was married to a daughter of James Meredith. (James Meredith was b. abt. 1710--making a daughter likely b. in the 1740-1765 time frame--too early for the next generation of Birds.)

Will of James Meredith

Franklin Co. VA Deed Book 4, p. 184, July, 1800

Know all men by these presents that I, James Meredith, for divers good causes, but more especially for the love and affection which I bear to my daughter, Mary Bird, do give unto her and to her heirs and assigns forever one certain bay horse about 6 years old and about 4 foot, 10 inches high, being the only horse I now possess and which I desire that she take possession of him immediately and convert him to her own proper use, as she may think proper, with all the other property I die in possession of. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this first day of July, 1800.

(Signed) James Meredith (Seal) Attest: Robert Jones, James Holloway

At court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse in September, 1800, this deed of gift from James Meredith to Mary Bird was proved by the oath of the witnesses, whose names are hereunto subscribed and ordered to be recorded. Teste: James Calloway, C.C.

The process of elimination indicates that she is the dau. of the James Meredith, who died in Henry County, VA in 1800. That would not be the James Meredith who was married to Mildred Bagby, as that James Meredith died before 1796...

Franklin Co. VA Deed Book 4, p. 184, July, 1800 Know all men by these presents that I, James Meredith, for divers good causes, but more especially for the love and affection which I bear to my daughter, Mary Bird, do give unto her and to her heirs and assigns forever one certain bay horse about 6 years old and about 4 foot, 10 inches high, being the only horse I now possess and which I desire that she take possession of him immediately and convert him to her own proper use, as she may think proper, with all the other property I die in possession of. In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, this first day of July, 1800. (Signed) James Meredith (Seal) Attest: Robert Jones, James Holloway At court held for Franklin County at the Courthouse in September, 1800, this deed of gift from James Meredith to Mary Bird was proved by the oath of the witnesses, whose names are hereunto subscribed and ordered to be recorded. Teste: James Calloway, C.C.

(James Holloway is the father of Rachel Holloway who m. James Stewart. Both are close neighbors of Samuel Bird Sr. in 1810 Census)

Note: In April of 1801, Samuel Bird Sr., Bartlet Bird and Vardeman Bird, all acquired a horse.

"Mary" Bird relinquishes dower in the years 1779, 1785, 1808, and "Molly" relinquishes in 1814.

Franklin Co. VA Order Book 1800-1805, June 5, 1811 Polly Bird, etal v. Brice Stewart. Dismissed for want of prosecution.

Links

• http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=591398&id...
• Reference: RootsWeb's WorldConnect - SmartCopy: Nov 30 2016, 0:54:06 UTC