Pam Mullinax asked <in part>:
What has been your thoughts on Stubbs' comment that Francis
MERIWETHER, with
his wife, Mary Bathurst, made a deed to David, "son and only heir of
Nicholas Catlett," on Aug. 10, 1696 (Essex Records)?
Hi Pam --
My head hurts. <S> Someone <Carter Stubbs and/or wife, Elizabeth>
fouled up, me thinks.
The deed wasn't dated 10 Aug 1696. That's the date that John PEALE, on
behalf of Mary MERIWETHER, went into court and released her dower rights
to the property conveyed to David CATLETT. David CATLETT also appeared
in court that same date and assigned rights to a parcel of land to
Robert BROOKE (ESSEX COUNTY COURT ORDERS, 1695-1696, p. 20, Ruth and Sam
Sparacio, McLean, VA, 1991).
Of course, his comment does not quote "ONLY son and only
heir", and can
"only heir" rule out that Nicholas had other sons (i.e., a Nicholas)?
David was described as heir apparent, which _to me_ means he was the
eldest son. It also means to me that Nicholas died intestate. I base
this on the inheritance laws (primogeniture) in place in Virginia at the
time. It's difficult for any of us to speak for the Stubbs, but if they
read that document wrong, then their assumption that David was the ONLY
heir would be a correct assumption. IMHO, David could have had and
probably _did_ have a younger brother named Nicholas.
From ESSEX COUNTY DEEDS & WILLS, 1695-1699, pp. 12-13, Ruth and
Sam
Sparacio, McLean, VA, 1991:
(paraphrased, except where "" appear)
On 12 Feb 1695/6, David CATLETT of Essex Co., planter conveyed to
Francis MERIWETHER, "all the land which did of right belong & appertaine
to NICHOLAS CATLETT, father of the said DAVID CATLETT, late of
RAPPAHANNOCK County, included in a Patent of Seventeen hundred and
Ninety acres granted unto Capt. WILLIAM MOSELEY, also late of the said
County of RAPPAHANNOCK & ye said NICHOLAS CATLETT deceased, bearing date
the 29th day of September 1671; scituate & being in the aforesaid County
of Essex formerly RAPPAHANNOCK County, which is come and descended unto
the said DAVID CATLETT as Sonne & heir apparent of the said NICHOLAS
CATLETT..." In return for this property, David received from Francis
MERIWETHER, a land patent containing 299 1/2 acres, plus 3,200 pounds of
tobacco (and casks).
-- Karon
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