Sarah (Ligon) Ligon

Not the same as Sarah Ligon, b. about 1685, daughter of William Ligon (d. 1659) & Mary Tanner (d. 1721).

Biography

Updated 23 August 2023

Sarah Ligon was born in Henrico or Halifax County, Province of Virginia and died between 2 July 1784 (will written) and January 1785 (will recorded) in Prince Edward County, Virginia, United States.

She was probably the daughter of William Ligon, Il (d. 1764) and Elizabeth Ligon (d. after 1764). Older sources show her a generation earlier, as the daughter of Maj. William Ligon (d. 1689) and is wife Mary Tanner) (d. 1721). But that would mean she was close to 100 years old when she died.

Family

Sarah Ligon married her cousin Henry Ligon, (b abt 1687-d betw 1759-1762) before 1734. He was the son of Richard Ligon and Mary Worsham.

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.”

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

Children of Henry Ligon and an unnamed first wife, born before 1734 in Virginia:

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) his cousin Sarah Ligon (d. 1785), born in Virginia after 1734:

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, Eliza beth 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.”

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Added bold and line breaks to these will transcriptions. (eh)

Will of Henry Ligon (written 1759)

11. Henry3 Ligon, Sr., son of Richard2 and Mary (Worsham) Ligon; married before the year 1734, his first cousin, Sarah Ligon, daughter of William2 Ligon. He died in the Parish of St. Patrick, Prince Edward Co., Va., in 1762, and his wife died in the same county in 1785.

Prince Edward Co., Va. Will Book 1, p. 52:

• In the name of God, Amen, I, J. Henry Ligon, Sr., of the parish of St. Patrick in the County of Prince Edward, being in perfect mind and sound memory, praises be to God, do make and ordain this my last will and testament in manner following viz.
• imprimis I bequeath my soul into the hands of Almighty God, my Maker and Redeemer, hoping through the wonderous death and passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour and Redeemer to receive free pardon of all my sins and my body to be buried in Christian burial at the discretion of my executor hereinafter named.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, Henry Ligon, one bed and furniture, etc.
• I give and bequeath my daughter, Elizabeth Ligon, one bed and furniture, etc.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, William Ligon, part of the tract of land I now live on beginning at the mouth of the spring branch and up the branch to the head and all above the said branch and half the mill and also one negro boy named Jack and also one negro girl named Jane and also one negro boy named Icema.
• Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Sarah Ligon, one negro girl named Jug and also one negro boy named Mathew and also one negro boy named Peter and also one bed and furniture, etc.
• Item. I give and bequeath to my well beloved wife, Sarah Ligon, all the remainder part of my negro slaves and all my movables therein and her heirs, assigns forever and also lend her the remainder part of the tract of land joining my son, William Ligon, above-mentioned during her widowhood or (denic?) then I give and bequeath the whole tract of land to my said son, William Ligon, to him and his heirs forever.
• And, lastly, I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife, Sarah Ligon, and my son, Henry Ligon, sole executors of my last will and testament. Hereby revoking all others, etc. Dated November 12, 1759. Henry Ligon.
• Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of : Charles Anderson, Nathan Hall, Henry Lester. Recorded in Prince Edward County Court 14th of December 1762. Teste: John Lee Neva, Clk.
• Prince Edward Co., Va. Will Book 1, p. 55: January 29, 1763, we, Jacob Magehee, Mathew and Joseph Rice, first being sworn before Mr. John Leigh, one of His Majestey’s Justices of the Peace for the said county, to appraise the estate of Henry Ligon, deceased, as nigh as we can to the value, etc. Total value of 2521£. 5s. 3p. Signed by Sarah (X) Ligon, executrix, and Henry Ligon, executor. Also signed by Mathew Rice, Joseph Rice, Jacob Magehee. Recorded, Prince Edward County, April 18, 1763. Signed John Lee Neva, Clk

Source: Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections, Volume l. (1947). Page 379. < Archive.Org >

Will of Sarah Ligon (written 1784)

Abstract:

Sarah Ligon wrote her will 4 Jul 1784 and named children:

• William Ligon, Sarah Atwood,
• Grandchildren: John Turner Ligon, son of William Ligon,
• James Atwood,
• John T. Ligon, Wm Ligon, son of Henry Ligon,
• Sarah Holt, dau of my son Henry Ligon, dec,
• Henry Ligon, son of William Ligon,
• John Atwood 8c William Atwood, Mary Mason, Elizabeth Ligon Atwood, Mary Atwood,
• Son in law, Thomas Ligon, dau inlaw Elizabeth Ligon.
• Executors: John T. Ligon, grandson.
• Wit: John Richards, George Foster, Thomas Vaughan, Abraham Foster. Recorded Jan Court 1785. [100]

Source: [100] Prince Edward County, VA, Will Bk l,p 351, Abstract of Wills Bks 1-7, 1751-1837 (G.S.U, 1940)p37,FHL 975.5732 P28p

Complete will

Prince Edward Co., Va. Will Book 1, p. 351:

• In the name of God, Amen, I, Sarah Ligon, of Prince Edward County, being weak of body but of sound mind and memory and calling to mind the certainty of death and the uncertainty of life do constitute this my last will and testament and desire it to be recorded by all as such.
• Imprimis, I most humbly bequeath my soul to Almighty God who gave it me and my body to the earth from whence it was taken to be buried at the discretion of my executors and as to such world estate I will and positively order that my just debts be paid and after my debts are paid I give and dispose in the following manner viz.:
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my son, William Ligon, one negro man named Lewis and half my stock and cattle and all my mill, etc. Item.
• I give and bequeath unto my grandson, John Turner Ligon, son of William Ligon, one negro man named Dick, one negro girl named Dianah,
• this negro girl Dianah I give to be as a companion to John T. Ligon to take care of James Atwood till he come to the age of twenty-one,
• also one feather bed and furniture, etc. & Personal property and chattels to my Daughter Sarah Atwood if she comes to the county to live.
• Item. I give and bequeath to my grandson, William Ligon, son of Henry Ligon, one negro boy.
• I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Sarah Holt, daughter of my son, Henry Ligon, deceased, one negro girl, etc.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson, Henry Ligon, son of William Ligon, one negro boy named Caesar.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my grandson, James Atwood, one negro girl named Lucy, etc.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Mary Mason, one cow and calf, one negro, etc.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Elizabeth Ligon Atwood, one negro woman named Pat.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my granddaughter, Mary Atwood, one negro girl named Judith.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my son-in-law, Thomas Ligon, five shillings to him and his heirs forever.
• Item. I give and bequeath unto my daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Ligon, five shillings, to her and her heirs forever.
• I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Sarah Atwood, one large chest with contents also negroes, etc.
• Item. If there be anything not mentioned in my will of estate, I give it to my grandson, John T. Ligon and Henry Ligon.
• My desire is that there be no appraisement of my estate. I do hereby constitute and appoint my grandson, John T. Ligon, sole executor of this my last will and testament. Dated July 4, 1784. Sarah (X) Ligon.
• Witnesses: John Richards, Thomas Vaughan, George Foster, Abraham Foster. Recorded, Prince Edward County January Court, 1785. Teste: H. Watkins, Clerk.
• Prince Edward Co., Va. Will Book 2, p. 24: Pursuant to an order of the Worshipful Court of Prince Edward County, we, being first sworn, have appraised the estate of Sarah Ligon as follows: Lewis £40, Dick £100, Hannah £30, Join £85, Peggy £100, Patt £90, Aggy £40, Lucy £50, Scasar £45, Diner £17, Matt £17, Aurey £17. Signed by John T. Ligon, George Foster, and George Pulliam. Recorded, Prince Edward County, December 19, 1785. Teste: H. Watkins.
• Prince Edward Co., Va. Will Book 2, p. 193: Appraisement of estate of Sarah Ligon, deceased, to John T. Ligon, executor, February 15, 1793. Signed Richard Bibb, John Clarke, and George Foster. Recorded, Prince Edward County, July 15, 1793. Teste: H. Watkins.

Source: Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections, Volume l. (1947). Page 379. < Archive.Org >

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 (Genealogical Press 2004); chapter: "Thomas Harris", page 275, footnote 113. < GoogleBooks >; (document attached)

Parentage

Virginia Gazette, Sep. 11, 1970:

Source: Sarah Ligon in the Alabama, U.S., Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981. < AncestrySharing >

Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections, Volume l. (1947) shows conflicting information.

Page 326. < Archive.Org>

I. Issue of Major William2 and Mary (Tanner) Ligon:

• 5. i. Thomas3 Ligon.
• 6. ii. William3 Ligon.
• 7. iii. John3 Ligon.
• iv. Joseph3 Ligon.
• v. Mary3 Ligon, m. 1st, William Anderson. A license was granted them July 15, 1698, Henrico Co.a She m. 2nd, Peter Rowlett. Court at Varina January 1716/17 : Statement that Wm. Ligon, deed, left certain land to be divided between his daughter Mary (now married to Peter Rowlett) & an unborn child, now 21 years old, & named Lucretia.b
• vi. Phebe3 Ligon.
• vii. Lucretia3 Ligon.
• viii. Sarah3 Ligon, m. Henry3 Ligon (11).

This does not match the children listed in his will dated 1689. There is no Sarah, and the unnamed child born after the will was written is identified as Lucretia (above). Not Sarah.

Page 321-322, will of William Ligon l, written 1688/9 < Archive.Org >

There is no daughter Sarah listed.

Colonial Records of Henrico Co., Book 5, pp. 75-76:

• In the name of God Amen I Will:m Ligon being in a Sick weak condition doe make & ordain this my last will & testam:* in manner & form as followeth. I give & bequeath my Soul to Almighty God who gave it hopeing in his mercy to receive full & free pardon for all my sins. As for my estate I give as followeth:
• Imps: I give to my sons Thomas & William the plantacon I now dwell on to be equally divided between them & to their heirs for ever.
• My part of ye Ashen Swamp that is that lyes about it I give to my son John & his heirs for ever.
• I give my land that Joyns upon Mr Hancock’s line to be equally divided between my son Joseph & Tho. Farrar, Jun and to their heirs forever.
• My land that lyes on the back of Curies Joyning on ye land wch formerly belonged to Solomon Knibb I give to be equally divided between my daughter Mary & ye Child my wife now goes with to them & their heirs for ever.
• My desire is that if my wife lives a widow till my Children comes to ye age of twenty one years they are to continue wth her but if she marryes then they are to be at their own disposeing at sixteen years of age.
• I give to my sons each of them a gun to take their choice of them as they come to age.
• All the rest of my estate I give to my dear & loving wife dureing her widowhood; But if she marryes, I give the half of it to be equally divided between my children. My wife to have the other half.
• I desire Capt. Fran: Epes & Mr. Rob:* Hancock and John Worsham to see this my last will pformed.
• I make my loving wife my whole & sole Exec:x of this my last will & testament, whereunto I have sett my hand & seal this 21st day of January 1688-9. Will Ligon (seal of red wax)

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Mary PLATT’s will, dated 10 Mar 1699/1700, named daughter Mary LIGGON, and grandchildren Thomas, Joseph, Phebe and Lucretia LIGGON. No Sarah.

But there “was” a Sarah Ligon who married her cousin Henry Ligon:

Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections, Volume l. (1947) Page 371. < Archive.Org >

6. Issue of William3 and Elizabeth (Batte) Ligon:

i. Sarah4 Ligon, m. Henry Ligon.
15. ii. William4 Ligon.
16. iii. Joseph4 Ligon.

Ligon, William D. (William Daniel). The Ligon family and connections, Volume l. (1947), page 364. < Archive.Org >

will of William Ligon ll:

Bolded names and line breaks added to this transcription. (eh)

Amelia Co., Va. Will Book 2X, p. 75:

• In the name of God Amen, I, William Ligon, of Prince Edward, being weary in body but in a sound mind and memory does on 22nd day of October in the year of our Lord 1759 make this my last will and testament in manner and form following, that is to say,
• first lend to my loving wife, Elizabeth Ligon, all my estate that I am now possessed with during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give my negro man Grimmy to Mary Moseley, wife of William Moseley, and to her heirs forever.
• Item. I give my negro man Mathew to Martha Moseley, wife of Mathew Moseley, and to her heirs forever after my said wife deceased
• Item. I give to my daughter Sarah Ligon, wife to Henry, ten pounds current money of Virginia also one bed and furniture as it stands as also four cows and four calves to be delivered after my said wife deceased.
• Item. I give to my grandson, Joseph Ligon, two cows and two calves to be delivered after my wife deceased Item.
• I give to my son, William Ligon, all the rest of my estate, of negroes, and all the rest of my movable estate to him, my son William Ligon, and to his heirs forever.
• And lastly, I do constitute and appoint my said son, William Ligon, whole and soul executor of this my last will and testament, revoking all other will or wills before by me made.

& Signed with my own hand and seal the day and year being first above written. William (X) Ligon.

• Signed, Sealed, and Delivered, In the In the Presence of Richard Burkes,

William Ligon, Jessa (X) Lewelling.

References

1. The Ligon family and connections. by Ligon, William D. (William Daniel), 1879- (Publication date 1947). Page 325 < Archive.Org > Page 364 < Archive.Org > Page 371 < Archive.Org > Page 700 (Henry4) < Archive.Org >; Page 715 (William4) < Archive.Org >
2. John Frederick Dorman, Adventurers of Purse and Person, Virginia 1607-1624/5: Families G-P (Genealogical Press 2004); chapter: "Thomas Harris", pages 268, 271-272, 275 (accessed 22 August 2023) < GoogleBooks search inside >; < page 272 >. “16. William4 Ligon (William3, Mary2 Harris, Thomas1) aged 59 in Oct. 1741 (68), of Prince Edward and Amelia counties, left will 22 Oct. 1749-27 Sept. 1764 (69). He married Elizabeth Batte (70). On 8 Dec. 1746 their son William5 conveyed to them, for the “natural affection I bear for my aged Father & Mother,” 650 acres in Amelia County. (71). Issue: [LIGON] (72). 54. Sarah5, married 32. Henry4 Ligon; 55. WILLIAM5; 56. Joseph5.” page 275, footnote 113. < page 275 >; (document attached). Thomas and Elizabeth Ligon were Sarah (Ligon) Ligon’s stepchildren by an unnamed first wife of Henry Ligon.
3. “Worsham and Washam family history. By” Tuttle, Dorothy G. Washam, Larry E. http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idurl/1/585974 (Free membership needed to view) “Worsham and Washam family history”. Page number 18 Page viewer number 32 (of 883) Book Link: http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/585974 Page link: http://www.familysearch.org/library/books/idviewer/585974/32 see (document attached) cites
   1. [100] Prince Edward County, VA, Will Bk l,p 351, Abstract of Wills Bks 1-7, 1751-1837 (G.S.U, 1940)p37,FHL 975.5732 P28p
4. https://wc.rootsweb.com/trees/132801/I3090/sarah-ligon/individual (dead link)
5. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ligon-56 (accessed 23 August 2023)
6. https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Ligon-173 (accessed 23 August 2023)
7. https://www.familysearch.org/tree/person/details/LX77-H63 (accessed 23 August 2023). Sarah A. Tanner [sic: should be Ligon] , b. 1698, Henrico County, d. 1785, St. Patrick’s Parish, Prince Edward County, Virginia. No parents listed. Married 1729 to Henry Ligon (1687-1762). 5 children: Elizabeth, Henry Jr., Sarah, William, daughter. Cites:
   1. "The Ligon Family and Connections, Vol. 1," by Ligon, William D. (William Daniel), 1879-
   2. U.S. and International Marriage Records, 1560-1900 < AncestrySharing > Name Sarah Ligon Gender Female Spouse Name Henry Ligon Spouse Birth Place VAnSpouse Birth Year 1687 Marriage Year 1734 Marriage State VA Number Pages 1. (Not a reliable source.)
8. https://gw.geneanet.org/tdowling?n=ligon&oc=&p=sarah&_gl=1 lists as daughter of William Ligon & Elizabeth Batte. (Not a reliable source.)
9. Alabama, U.S., Surname Files Expanded, 1702–1981 < AncestrySharing > Virginia Gazette,Sep 11, 1970. “Queries. 10187. (A) LIGON - WORSHAM. Wish data for Richard Ligon of Prince Edward Co., Va., and for his wife, Mary Worsham. Their son, Henry Ligon, Sr., m. 1734, his cousin, Sarah Ligon. Who were her parents, their dates and residences?”
10. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/81613863/william-ligon
11. https://www.genealogy.com/ftm/t/u/r/James-M-Turner-VA/WEBSITE-0001/... “Sarah Ligon (daughter of William Ligon II and Elizabeth Batte)2612, 2613 was born 1712 in Halifax County, Virginia2613, and died date unknown.”
    1. 2612. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Ancestral File (R), Copyright (c) 1987, June 1998, data as of 5 January 1998.
    2. 2613. LIGON2.ged, Date of Import: Sep 18, 2006