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- "The Wigfield & Nelson Families, Chapter XiV, The Rosser Family": John Rosser, a son of Richard and Sarah Rosser, was born ca. 1726, probably at his parents home on Cedar Run, then located in Prince William Co, VA. He was the great grandfather of Ann E. Nelson, who married Thomas Smith Wigfield.
"The year of his birth marked the publication of the first edition of "Gulliver's Trvels" by Jonathon Swift, the British satirist and clergyman. It is considered by many to be the greatest satire in the English language. In the year followg his birth, George II became King of Great Britain and Ireland.
"A special election was held in Jan 1752 in King George Co to fill a vacancy in the House of Burgess created by the dath of the incumbent. The list of those voting, the names of the candidtates, the names of the candidates for whom each voter st his vote and the results of the election are recorded in Deed Book 3, pgs 467-470, King George Co. In that election John Rosser is shown to have voted for Charles Carter, Sr., and Anthony Strother. The polling place was in the Court House, then located near Port Conway. John Rosser must have been a public spirited man to have made the journey from his home on Deep Run (now in Fauquier Co) to Port Conway, a distance of at least 75 miles, in order to cast his vote.
"John Rosser and Mary Neaville, daughter of Capt George Neavill and Mary Gibbs, were married (probably in King George Co, VA) ca 1753. He died in Fauquier Co, VA between 6 April 1783, the date he executed his will, and 23 June 1783, the date e will was admitted to probate. She died in the same county in 1796.
The will of John Rosser, which was recorded in Will Book 1 at pg 742 of Fauquier Co, VA probate records is quoted in full:
April the 6th, 1783, Fauquier. In the name of God, Amen,
I, John Rosser, of the County aforesaid, being sound in memory, but unwell in body, doth make this my last will and testament.
ITEM: I lend my whole estate, both real and persona, to my wife during her life or widowhood, but in case she marries it is then my desire she shall be thirded. After her death, I give to my two sons, Richard and George my lands lying on Rahonnock where my son Richard now lives, to be equally divided, but it is my desire that George shall have the part that has a mill seat on, and in case either of them shall ever offer it for sale that it shall be forfeited and the property vested in the other son;
ITEM: I give to my sons, John and William, my tract6 of land whereon I now live, to be equally divided but it is my desire that William shall have the part whereon the houses (two words illegible) and in case either of them should offer it r sale it is my desier that the other son shall claim his part as the land above.
ITEM: I give to my daughter Nancy, Sarah (a slave).
ITEM: I give to my daughter Sukey, Violet (a slave).
ITEM: I give to my daughter Letty, Winny (a slave).
ITEM: I give to my son Richard, Yambro and Cate (slaves).
ITEM: I give to my son George, Lucy and her son, Jack and Citter: And in case either of my Daughter's negroes should die before my wife, it is then my desire that my son George should give a negro girl to the Daughter who has lost hers.
ITEM: I give to my son John, Ben (a slave).
ITEM: I give to my son William, Jane (a slave).
ITEM: At the death of my wife, I desire that my whole stock then found and furniture shall be sold by my sons and the monies arising from the sale to be eequaly divided between my daughters, Mary and Hannah.
ITEM: It is my desire that my debts be equally paid by my sons.
ITEM: My daughters, Sally & Elizabeth, I have already given their part.
John Rosser (L.S.)
Signed and Sealed in
the presence of us:
Aylett Buckner
George Rosser
Frederick Burditt
James Crockett
The foregoing will was proven by the witnesses and admitted to probate by the Fauquier Co, VA court, 23 Jun 1783.
The Inventory and Appraisement of the personal estate of John Rosser, deceased, was filed in the Fauquier Co, VA, Court, 28, July 1783, where it is recorded in Will Book 1 at p 480. Values are stated in pounds, shillings, and pence. The invory and appraisment is copied in part and follows:
Agreeable to an Order from the Worshipfull Court of Fauquier of June ye 9th, 1783, we the appraisers being first duly sworn, doe value and appraise the estate of John Rosser, Dect., in manner and form as followeth, Viz.
To 1 Negroe man named Ben L 100 0 0
To Negroe woman Lucy 60 0 0
To ditto Winny L60, Joane ditto, 105 0 0
Sarah L45
To 1 Negro Jack L20, to one ditto 45 0 0
Citter L25
To 1 ditto Jane L60, 85 0 0
to 1 ditto Yambo L25
To 1 ditto Cate 25 0 0
To 1 ditto Vilet 35 0 0
Other misc, including 3 cows, a calf, 14 shoats, 2 sows, 26 gease, an old horse & maire, total of Inventory (including omitted items) L504 12 6.
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