Wimbish

Our story begins with James Wimbish, who in 1753 bought 1,020 acres on Buffalo Creek (River) in what was then Amelia County and would later become Prince Edward County. James in said to have come from James City County, but I have seen no evidence for that.

James would become one of the founders of Prince Edward County. He was on the commission that built the courthouse. He was one of the first Justices of the Peace for the County, serving from 1754 until his death. James was also the third sheriff of the county, taking the oath of sheriff of Prince Edward County in October 1757.

James is often identified as “Reverend James Wimbish.” While he may have been a minister, I have seen no evidence to support the claim. James was selected as one of the first 10 vestrymen of St. Patrick’s Parish in 1755 and he was church warden in 1755 and 1758.

James signed his will in February 1760, and it was recorded in Prince Edward County in February 1761. In it he names 12 slaves and implies more. Here is an abstract:

 I, James Wimbish of St Patrick’s Parish To my wife — 4 slaves, Moll, Will, Tom, Lucy, and if needed, my negro woman named Phillis, and one fourth of my Personal estate, during her natural life.

To my daughter Martha, the wife of Hugh Challes — my 2 negro girls named Hannah & Chloe, who were born of my mulatto woman Phillis, now in the service of my daughter Martha, but to return to my estate after my death.

To my daughter Anne, the wife of William Baldwin, my mulatto Woman named Agness.

To my daughter Sarah, the wife of the Reverend Mr. James Garden — my mulatto woman named Sue, and 1 bed and furniture, which they have already in possession.

To my son James Wimbish — my Negro man named Mingo, and my Negro boy named Harry, with what has received formerly.

To my daughter Mary, the wife of James Thackston — 65 £ to be paid 12 months after my death.

To my 3 youngest sons, Samuel, John, and Benjamin Wimbish — all my land and slaves not already disposed of, as well as those allotted for the use of my wife, after her death to be equally divided among them, together with the reversion and remainder of my estate.

Executors: my 3 youngest sons, Samuel, John, and Benjamin Wimbish.

Signed Feb 1, 1760 — James Wimbish. Wit — George Davies, Nathel Barksdale, Archibald McElroy.

The inventory of his estate, dated Feb 19, 1761:

Inventory and appraisement of the estate of JAMES WIMBISH deceased, pursuant to court order dated Feb, 1761. Items mentioned include: 3 beds and furniture, 1 looking glass, 8 rush chairs, 5 leather chairs, 1 large looking glass, books, 1 pine table, 1 couch, 5 China cups, 6 saucers, 4 wine glasses, 3 Delf bowls, 9 flowered delft plates, 1 small gilt trunk, 1 walnut stand, 1 old sword, 1 old leather trunk, carpenters and joiner’s tools, 24 cattle; Mulatto slaves named Will, Bob, Cyrus, Toby, Moll, Phillis, Tony, 1 Negro fellow named Tom; 1 Negro girl Lucy. Total value 688 pounds 15 shillings 2 pence.

Signed Saml Wimbish, John Wimbish, Ben Wimbish, exors.

Signed – Wm Booker Nathaniel Barksdale, John Biggs, Thos Flournoy. Recorded Mar 10, 1761

James and his wife, the former Sarah Ann Hunt had eight children. Our story continues with their daughter Martha.

In 1775, Martha Wimbish married Hugh Challis, who like the Wimbish family lived on Buffalo Creek in Prince Edward County (probably just west of Farmville and just north of Hamden Sydney). Hugh owned at least 300 acres of land, operated an ordinary in 1754-55, and had been appointed clerk of St. Patrick’s Parish at its creation in 1755 (his father-in-law James Wimbish being elected church warden and vestryman at the same time.) He served as under-sheriff (deputy) during his father-in-law’s time as sheriff.

By 1782 Hugh and Martha had moved to that portion of Guilford County that would become (in 1785) Rockingham County, North Carolina. Hugh served as a county justice in 1782. (For more on Hugh, his family, and the descendants of he and Martha, see the Challis post). Hugh died in August 1786. Martha died in Rockingham County. Her will, signed on March 15, 1801 and proven in May 1804, provides:

In the name of God, amen. I Martha Challes of the county of Rockingham and state of North Carolina being weak of body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be to God for his mercies and as touching my worldly goods as it has pleased God to bless me with in this life I do give and dispose of in manner and form as follows, to wit:

Item. I give and bequeath to Susannah Dalton my chest and ten shillings.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son John Challes ten shillings. I also give and bequeath to Ann Stubblefield, Sarah Mills, Martha Smith, Fanny W. Smith all the property, debts, and outstanding cash after paying my just debts and paying one hundred dollars to Jean Dalton and also one hundred dollars more to Patsy Dalton and then the balance of my property which consists of four negroes, to wit Juror (?), Sila, Ennis, and Lina with all stock of horses, tobacco, corn, wheat, rye, oats, flax, cotton, bacon, brandy, sugar and all my household and kitchen furniture, which consists of the following articles: four stone jugs, tea kettle, ___, three counterpanes, two ploughs, one coulter, two axes, four weeding hoes, four casks, two hogsheads, two washing tubs, two ___, case of knives and forks, some earthen ware, two bells, two pots, one oven lid, two cleavers, one pewter dish, ten pewter plates, four __, and several other articles two tedious to be mentioned and it is to be understood that after paying the above legatees, John Challes, Susanna Dalton, Jean Dalton and Patsy Dalton, and paying all of the just debts, then the balance is to be equally divided between Ann Stubblefield, Sarah Mills, Martha Smith and Fanny W. Smith to them and their heirs forever. And I do appoint Drury Smith and Wyatt Stubblefield executors of this my last will and testament to see the same performed according to the intent and meaning of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this fifteen day of March one thousand eight hundred and one.

s/Martha Challes (her mark)

Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of

Ezekiel Murphey

John Norman

James Murphey

State of North Carolina

Rockingham County

May session, 1804

The within will of Martha Challes was duly proved in open court by the oaths of Ezekiel Murphey, John Norman and James Murphey and ___

s/ Ro. Gallaway

Our story continues with her daughter Ann Challis. See the Challis post for more.