Thomas Wood

Biography

In those days widows usually married soon after the death of their husbands and before their estate was settled, for nearly always their second husbands were appointed the administrators of the first husbands estate. We are relatively certain that Mary Halbert was the widow of Thomas Wood, for on Jul 25, 1709, William and Mary Halbert presented inventory of Thomas Wood deceased, and at that time she is referred to as Mary Halbert, late Mary Wood."

"AN ACCOUNT OF MY RESEARCH INTO SOME AREAS OF THE HALBERT LINE" By Grace P. Thomas

The earliest records of the Halberts (earliest spelling) of this line in American appear to be found in Essex County, Virginia, when William Halbert and his wife, Mary, were appointed administrators of the estate of Thomas Wood. This administration bond was dated February 10, 1709/10 and on February 21,1709/1710, the inventory of the estate of Thomas Wood was presented by Mary Wood, his widow and relict, and by Wm Halbert, lately intermarrying with the widow. (Deed Book 13, p. 280 (74) and p. 291 (79).

The next document relating to William Halbert was dated June 10, 1710,when he was named as a surety on the bond of Elizabeth Cole, administrix of the estate of William Cole. By October 18, 1718, William had died, as Mary is mentioned in a deed to be holding land adjacent to Jacob and Joshua Stepp, and she is referred to as Mary Halbert,widow. (D. B. 15, p 230.)

The foregoing records indicate that the marriage of William Halbert and his wife, Mary (whose maiden name has yet to be discovered,) was of short duration.

However, records show that this marriage produced two children: Joel and William, Jr.

Mary, after the death of William, married third, William Taylor. Both Mary and her third husband, William Taylor, left wills naming Mary's three children:

Elizabeth Heely, Joel Halbert and William Halbert.

Elizabeth was not a daughter of William Halbert, but of Thomas Wood, as proved by a suit brought in Chancery Court by Thomas Heely and his wife, Elizabeth, whom it was stated was late Elizabeth Wood, daughter of Thomas Wood, deceased.

This suit was brought to court against William Taylor and his wife, Mary, for the purpose of gaining possession of the legacy left to Elizabeth by her father, Thomas Wood. (Order Book, Essex Co., Va, 1723/33, pp 148 and 227.)