Ralph Wormeley, IV

GEDCOM Note

14. Ralph" Wormeley, of "Rosegill", born Oct. 5, 1715, died 1790. He was doubtless educated in England, and on his return to the
Colony was long prominent in public life, though he was never as has been frequently stated, a member of the Council. He was a member of the House of Burgesses for Middlesex county for thirty-three sessions in all.

His sympathies were probably with England during the Revolution, but if so they were never shown in a way to attract the denunciation of the Virginia government.

Ralph Wormeley's will was dated April 7, 1787, and proved in Middlesex May 3, 1789. In it he directs that his lands in Berkeley County and part of those in King William shall be sold. Gives to son Ralph
his whole estate in Middlesex and the remainder of that in King William, having already, by deed given son James his portion. To son John the land in Frederick County, 2,680 acres, together with all personal property on same. Wife to have use of his coach, gardner, postillions,
chariot and chariot horses during life, and of her two maids, and' after her death to his son Ralph.

To Dudley Digges, Esq., of Williamsburg,
500 pounds sterling, being the residue of the portion of his late wife the testator's daughter Elizabeth.

To his daughter, Mrs. Judith Grymes,
700 pounds sterling, being the remainder of her portion. Gives 600 pounds sterling to be divided between the children of his late daughter, Mary, wife of Nathaniel Burwell, in lieu of her portion.

The rest of estate to son, Ralph.

Ralph Wormeley married first, Nov. 4, 1736, Sarah, daughter of Edmund Berkeley, of "Barn Elms", Middlesex County.
The Virginia Gasette, of November 19, 1736, contains the following notice of the marriage: "Yesterday, was Fortnight, Ralph Wormeley of Middlesex County, Esq., a young Gentleman of fine Estate, was
married to the celebrated Miss Sally Berkeley, a young Lady of great Beauty and Fortune".

One of her descendants, Mr. J. E. Woodbridge, of Chester, Pa.,
formerly of Richmond, has given to The Virginia Historical Society a mourning ring made in memory of her. It bears the inscription "S. B. W. 1741".

He married secondly, Jane, daughter of James Bowles, of Maryland.
Though the memorandum of Ralph Wormeley's will, which is printed
above, states that it was proved in 1789, this seems to be an error, for the family record in the Prayer Book of his son, Ralph, states that
Ralph Wormeley, Sr., died August 19, 1790.

Children of Ralph Wormeley
(First marriage)
I. 21. Elizabeth1*, born Sept. 3, 1737, married in July, 1760, Dudley Digges, of York County, who was afterwards a member
of the first Executive Council of the State of Virginia.

(Second marriage)
II. 22. Ralph14, (see later).
III. 23. James14, (see later).
IV. 24. John", of "Cool Spring". At the beginning of the Revolution he took the English side and served as a captain under
Simcoe in the British army. Soon after the War he retired on half pay, and returning to Virginia settled on his estate in the Shenandoah Valley, where he spent the rest of his life.
His son, John Cruger" Wormeley, removed to Tennessee.
V. 25. Judith1*, married in May, 1773, Philip Ludwell Grymes, of "Brandon", Middlesex County, afterwards a member of the
State Council.
VI. 26. Mary14, married Nathaniel Burwell.