My first known Atkinson ancestor was my 8x great grandfather Charles¹ Atkinson of Essex County, Virginia (c.1665-c.1702) who was covered in an earlier blog post you can check out here:  https://asonofvirginia.blog/2022/08/24/charles-atkinson-c-1665-c-1702-of-old-rappahannock-and-essex-county-virginia/. Charles¹ and Ann (Copeland) Atkinson left four children including Charles² (c.1695-1761), Nicholas² (c.1697-1773), John² (c.1699-1478) and Mary² (c. 1701-    ). My 6x great grandfather Thomas³ Atkinson was the eldest son of John² Atkinson and the first to arrive in Amelia County, Virginia.   

Thomas³ Atkinson was about 17 years old[1] in 1748 when he lost both of his parents. His father John² Atkinson died “about Christmas” and his mother “within a few weeks after her husband.”[2] Perhaps they died of smallpox, which had spread to Virginia from new York and Maryland beginning in 1747 and served to disrupt the 1748 state legislative session, which had to postpone its March session until late October.[3] John and his wife [whose name is unknown[4]] left five children including Elizabeth, about 20 and married to John Compton, Thomas, about 17, Nancy, about 13, John, about 7 and Henry, about 5 years old.[5] Little is known of Thomas childhood other than that his parents were tenant farmers in Essex County.[6] Their father left no will and administration of his estate fell to the children’s uncle Charles² Atkinson.[7]

Thomas³ Atkinson was in Amelia County paid tax on four tithables in Amelia County, Virginia in 1748.[8]  His brother-in-law and elder sister John and Elizabeth (Atkinson) Compton also appear to have settled in Amelia about this time and were on the same list.[9]

Uncle Charles in Charge

The move was temporary as Thomas Atkinson was back in Essex County on 20 March 1749, when he appeared at court and chose his uncle Charles² Atkinson as his guardian.[10]

The following day on 21 March, Charles² Atkinson returned John² Atkinson’s estate inventory &appraisal (I&A), which had been ordered by the Essex Court on 21 February 1748/9.[11]  His estate was valued at £273.0.10 of which £175 was the value of the enslaved Sary £30, Tom £40, Jude £40, Rachell £30, Hanner £20 and Jamey £15. The balance of the estate was typical – comprised of furniture and household goods, farm tools and livestock.[12]      

 On 21 May 1751, Thomas³ Atkinson’s younger brother, 12-year-old “John Adkinson, orphan son of John Adkinson, decd” entered into a 10 year blacksmith apprenticeship with his first cousin Charles³ Atkinson, Jr., who was an Essex County blacksmith.[13] Eldest sister Elizabeth’s husband John Compton later testified that he and his wife offered to take in Nancy[14], about 13, at no charge to the estate, but that Uncle Charles refused and served as her guardian himself.[15]

Administration of the orphans’ estate

As estate administrator, Charles Atkinson was obligated to administer the estate on behalf of the heirs, keep track of estate income and expenses and file reports with the local court. He had to post bond and was financially liable for maintaining the estate in good order on behalf of the heirs. Records for three such reports filed by Charles Atkinson are extant.

The first report was made by Charles² Atkinson at Essex court on 20 March 1749/50.[16]

This report reveals that the boarding expenses for the children began on 28 December 1748. Perhaps this is John Atkinson’s date of the death – or the day after – when the estate began incurring expenses. It also notes “Account of sales of the estate £100.6.5” suggesting an estate sale occurred. This was common and the heirs and their neighbors could bid on items, which served to generate income to settle the deceased debts so the estate could be settled.   

The second filing covered 1748 – April 1751 and was recorded on 16 April 1751. Included are four incurred expenses for 1748, which related to that year’s crop – tobacco and corn – as well as “attending and selling the Estate 5 days.” In 1749, Atkinson recorded an expense for “delivering one Negro woman” and “my wife’s attending her in child bed.” There are also numerous entries for clothes for the orphans. For 1749, expense for “making Thomas Atkinsons Linen Clothes” and also for Thomas “1 pr stockings & 1 pr gloves.” John and Henry also received linen clothes and Henry, the youngest also received “1 pr of small shoes.” Also recorded for 1749 was “Rent paid Mr. Boughan,” which is for the farm the family rented. An expense for “Physick for the Negros” and payment to “Ann Atkinson [this is likely John’s daughter Nancy] for attending in their illness” and “making 4 shirts and 3 frocks for Negro children” round out the expenses for the year. In 1750 he recorded an expense for “boarding John & Henry Atkinson,” clothing expenses for the Atkinson children and the enslaved as well as expense for “smith’s work.” With respect to income, corn was the principal crop. Brandy was also produced and sold.[17] Notably no boarding was paid for Thomas Atkinson.

The third filing covered April-September 1751 and was recorded on 17 October 1752. The third report was similar in its entries but occurred after Thomas³ Atkinson had definitely turned 21 and his brother John had become an apprentice blacksmith – his master to provide lodging and food. As such no board was paid out of the estate for either of them. Only for the youngest child Henry Atkinson was a boarding charge recorded along with an expense for the schoolmaster and for clothes and shoes for the boy. On the income side of the ledger for April 1751, Charles² Atkinson recorded income to the estate from a court settlement of £136.5.1 [I have found no record of this in the court order books]. Selling 2,230 pounds of tobacco and 8 gallons and three quarts of brandy generated more than £20. Some of the enslaved people held by the estate were also hired by other colonists to produce income. For 1751, Thomas Leeman, one of Charles² Atkinson’s sons [unnamed], and John Smith each hired an enslaved person [unnamed] from the estate generating more than £24.[18]    

Thomas Atkinson of Amelia County, Virginia

Thomas³ Atkinson made Amelia County his home from about 1751 and appears regularly on extant Amelia County tithe lists. [19]  He married his first cousin [name unknown], a daughter of his uncle Charles² Atkinson.[20]

Thomas and ——— (Atkinson) Atkinson had sons Muscoe⁴, b.c. 1753[21] and Joshua⁴, b.c. 1755.[22] A 1755 entry an account book of Thomas³ Atkinson’s references his youngest brother Henry³ Atkinson who was about 10 years old at the time. The balance of the page was devoted to the items Thomas sold young Henry on credit from his store. An English “ell” was a length of linen of about 1 ¼ yards.[23]  Henry was being provided with the material with which new clothes would be made. He is not included with the rest of his siblings in a 1772 Amelia County Chancery court case suggesting he died young.           

Thomas Atkinson becomes a landowner

On 3 November 1757, Thomas³ Atkinson paid £260 for 470 acres in Amelia County purchased from Benjamin Hubbard of Halifax County. The tract adjoined the lands of Thomas Tabb, William Moulson, William Southall, William Ferguson, Richard Eggleson and Richard & Hannah Anderson.[24] On 11 August 1762 he sold this tract to William Moulson for £400 – 53% more than he had paid five years prior.[25] Then on 22 September 1763, Thomas³ Atkinson bought a 570 acre Amelia County tract from  James Foster for £300, which was on the north side of Flat Creek & Ellis Fork.[26] He added to his holdings on 1 December 1766, when he paid £161 for an adjacent 289 acre tract, “it being part of the Tract that the said Atkinson now lives on.”[27] It would be here Thomas³ Atkinson would make his home for the rest of his life. This portion of Amelia County would fall into Nottoway County when it was created in 1789.

Thomas and his first wife added daughters Milley, b.c. 1760 and Elizabeth b.c. 1767 before she died.

On 25 February 1775, a marriage bond was issued for Thomas³ Atkinson & Elizabeth Dixon with James Dupie [Dupuy] as security.[29] The bride was Elizabeth Dupuy, widow of ———— Dixon and daughter of John James & Susanna (LeVillain) Dupuy. Elizabeth (Dupuy) Dixon was from Cumberland County, Virginia, just across the Appomattox River. Some of her relatives were neighbors of Thomas³ Atkinson. His account book notes transactions with Bartholomew Dupuy, Peter Dupuy and John Dupuy. They were all descendants [as am I] of the Bartholomew Dupuy (c.1652-1743/4) who was among the French Huguenot refugees to settle Manakintown in 1700.[30]          

Thomas and Elizabeth (Dupuy) Dixon Atkinson soon had three children including daughter Ann⁴, called “Nancy”, born 24 September 1776, son John⁴ Atkinson, born 4 December 1777 and daughter Martha⁴, called “Patsy”, born in November 1778.[31]

Family Squabbles – Chandler vs. Atkinson

A 1772 lawsuit was brought in Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court by Joseph and Ann³ “Nanny” (Atkinson) Chandler against her brother Thomas³ Atkinson. The Chandler’s alleged that their uncle Charles² Atkinson and brother Thomas³ Atkinson committed fraud in the 1752 distribution of their father’s estate.[32] As is the case with many chancery suits, distributions of estates comprised of enslaved men, women and children often take center stage and this case is no exception.     

The Chandlers alleged that her father John² Atkinson promised Nanny³ an enslaved girl named Rachel, but that he instead gave Rachel to his goddaughter Sarah Mitchell. The Chandlers recalled a conversation that occurred a few days before her father’s death when her mother pointed out to her husband that he had already promised to give Rachel to Nanny. Her father was alleged to have said he would give Nanny a “better slave named Judy who was Rachel’s elder sister then about 15 years of age.” Her father died intestate a few days later and his wife a few weeks after that. The only witnesses to the conversation were their now deceased parents, the defendant Thomas³ Atkinson, who then was about age 17 and Ann “Nancy/Nanny”³ Atkinson, then about age 13.

The Chandlers further alleged that her uncle Charles² Atkinson, while serving as the administrator of the estate, “made a crop” the following year [after his brother’s death – 1749] with four enslaved people belonging to his brother’s estate on a rented plantation called Gatewood. The Chandlers also alleged that her father had no debts at his death, that money was found at his death and that the “pretended inventory” provided by their estate administrator uncle “made no account of the crop he planted.” They went on to say that they had good reason to believe the proceeds from the crop were used for the benefit of Thomas³ Atkinson the heir-at-law who had married the administrator (Charles² Atkinson’s) daughter[33], which induced them to commit fraud. Lastly, they accused Charles² Atkinson and Thomas³ Atkinson of “omitting a valuable slave from the inventory.” The Chandlers wanted Thomas³ Atkinson to turn over the enslaved Judy “and her increase,” which by 1778 included her four enslaved children Davy, Rachel, Tabb and Alex.[34]

Thomas³ Atkinson’s answer to the suit provides a number of details. He asserted that all heirs had been paid their share of their father’s estate. He acknowledged that his father gave an enslaved girl named Rachel to his goddaughter Sarah Mitchell. He also acknowledged that he held a slave named Judy who he received with the other slaves at “appraised value.” Thomas³ Atkinson added that he had “paid off such of the children as could claim their distributive slaves of such Estate.” He said that he was  “unaware of any verbal or other gift of Judy meant for Nancy, wife of Complainant Joseph Chandler.” He also denied making the “incautious confession” to the principal allegations he is charged with in the complaint. Thomas³ Atkinson also noted that he received Judy when he turned 21, which he “thought was 1752” and he was “in quiet and peaceable possession until within these [last] few years (the suit started about 1772) and that he was at a loss as to why their claim slept for all these years.” He mentioned that his uncle Charles² Atkinson was administrator of his father’s estate and acted in that capacity until he came of age. Then Thomas³ Atkinson took possession of the estate – principally the enslaved – and paid his siblings their share of the appraised value. He mentioned that John Compton who had married his sister Elizabeth³, received an enslaved woman named Sarah and that they were in possession of her at the time of his father’s death. He indicated that he did not know whether she was a gift or if Compton purchased her. Lastly, he denied all fraud.[35]

Thomas³ Atkinson’s brother-in-law John Compton was also deposed on 6 February 1778. He testified that shortly after John² Atkinson’s 1748 death, he heard Thomas³ Atkinson say that “his father had left to him a Negro fellow named Tom and to his sister Nancy a Negro girl named Jude and to each of the other children a Negro but that this deponent always understood that the said John Atkinson father of the defendant died without will.” Compton added that “upon a Negro being recovered out of the Estate” that Charles Atkinson had “sent for him to come to him and repay him his proportion of the said slave as he said he had received his part of the appraised value of the said slave before the recovery thereof.”[36]        

The Amelia County Court never had to decide in the case as in May 1787, it was dismissed for “want of prosecution.”[37]

Sarah, Tom, Jude, Rachel, Hannah and Jamey

The enslaved people held by John² Atkinson at his 1748 death included Sarah, Tom, Jude, Rachel, Hannah and Jamey. Some Amelia County tithe lists and later tax lists for Amelia County and Nottoway County identify the enslaved held by Thomas³ Atkinson by name. The names in common are in bold.                                                                                                                           

Thomas Atkinson Merchant

Thomas³ Atkinson operated a store for many years in Amelia County and Nottoway County (formed out of Amelia in 1789).  A photocopy of his “daybook” survives.[38] A daybook was portable and used to record transactions to later record in an account book, which was typically larger and kept at the store containing an account register for each customer. The daybook measures 4” x 6” and is eroded on the edges and corners as one would expect from a quarter century of use of a paper product that was more than 200 years old when it was photocopied. There are 42 sheets including the cover and an inside page written by Paul Faison Smith who made the copy. Beginning on sheet three, each sheet has two pages. Excluding the cover and an insert page by Paul Faison Smith (the photocopier) there are 40 sheet or 80 pages of entries. Account books such as this offer a glimpse into the economic life of a community.  In Thomas Atkinson’s case, he also devoted some pages to recording family information. Those pages appear below. I will post my translation of the entire daybook as well as images in a separate post.    

Sheet 35

Sheet 36

Sheet 38

Will of Thomas Atkinson[39]

In the Name of God Amen. I Thomas Atkinson of Nottoway County being imperfect in body but of sound sense & memory make and ordain this my last Will and Testament.

Imprimis I recommend my soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it – me and my body to the earth, to be buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter mentioned, and to that worldly estate it has pleased God to bestow on me, I dispose of in manner and form following (Viz) I lend to my beloved wife Elizabeth during her natural life, the land whereon I now live, together with all my estate both real and personal except the bequests and legacies hereafter mentioned. – Item. I give to my two grandsons Richard and Joshua Atkinson (sons of Musco Atkinson dec’d) four hundred and thirteen acres lying on Ellis Fork it being the same land my son Musco Atkinson lived on when he died, the same to be equally divided between them according to the quality and improvements on the land, to them and their heirs forever, but in case either of them should die before he comes of age or married the surviving one shall be heir to and inherit the whole to him and his heirs forever. And it is my will that their mother Elizabeth Atkinson [Muscoe’s widow] shall have use of one third of the said land during her life or widowhood.  Item. I give to my son John Atkinson four hundred fifty three acres of land it being the plantation whereon I now live at the death of my wife and the following Negroes to wit: Daniel, Phoebe, Ransom, Stokes, Eliza, Richardson and Lewis, also a sorrel horse, one sorrel close(?) face mare, one roan horse colt three years old,  a saddle which he has in his possession, fourteen head of cattle, four of them cows leaving calves, the other six to be from three to five years old [only adds up to 10], eight head of sheep, two sows and pigs and ten other hogs about one year old, one feather bed and furniture to him and his heirs forever.

Item. I give to my daughter Patsey McGehee six Negroes to wit: Mathew, Janey, Betty, Joel, Elijah and Nelly all of which she has now in her possession, also the stock of horses, cattle, sheep and hogs, bed and furniture she has now in her possession, also Hannah, which is now in my possession with her children Tom and Edward, with the future increase of both them and those already in possession to her and her heirs forever, except that upon receiving Tom and Edward they shall be valued by two persons one to be chose by my executors and one by my said daughter Patsy and if they disagree they shall choose a third person and they shall account for their value in the final division hereafter to be made. Item. I have given and delivered in possession to my son Joshua Atkinson. To my daughter Milley Overton, to my daughter Betsy Estis, to my son Musco Atkinson all property of different description which I give to them and their heirs forever. And I have given a sum of money to my two granddaughters [unnamed], daughters of Musco, since his death, which is the reason for not making provision for them in my Will hereafter mentioned. Item. All the reside of my estate which I have lent to my wife during her natural life shall be at her death be divided into four equal parts, one fourth I give to my daughter Elizabeth Estis and her heirs forever, one fourth I give to my daughter Patsy McGehee and her heirs forever, except the value of the two young Negroes Tom and Edward is to be deducted from her fourth, one fourth I give to my daughter Nancy Mottley and her heirs forever and the other fourth to be equally divided between my four grandchildren Thomas, Moses, Elizabeth and Susannah Overton to them and their heirs forever. Item, It is my desire that my son John Atkinson would have an oversight of his mother’s concerns and that all the profits arising from the crops in hand or made before my death or from the estate lent to my wife over and above what will pay her debts and quietly maintain her and her family shall be his and his heirs forever.  My desire is that there be no appraisement made nor inventory returned of my estate. I lastly appoint my son John Atkinson and Henry Estis executors of this my last Will and Testament. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my seal this 15^th day of March 1803.   

Wit:                                                                                                                        Thomas Atkinson [seal]

James Dupuy, Junr., Tilmon E. Jeter, William (X) Man, Jospeh Woodson

In Nottoway County Court 2 Feb 1804

This last will and testament of Thomas Atkinson, dec’d. was offered for proof by John Atkinson and executor therein named was proved by the oaths of two witnesses thereto and was ordered to be recorded. In Margin: In Nottoway County Court 3 Oct 1805, on the motion of Henry Estis, an executor named in this will, a certificate is granted him for obtaining a probate.

As he wished, there was no inventory or appraisal of Thomas³ Atkinson’s estate. Such a shame for us.  Elizabeth (Dupuy) Atkinson must have died soon after her husband as she does not appear further in the record. Thomas³ Atkinson is listed in the Nottoway County 1803 personal property tax list (2-11-1-9) and in 1804 it is his son John⁴ Atkinson (1-11-4-9) – never Thomas’s estate. Additionally there are no chancery suits between the heirs.           

Thomas³ Atkinson, b.c. 1731, Essex County, Virginia, w.d. 15 Mar 1803, w.p. 2 Feb 1804, Nottoway County, Virginia, m. (1) abt. 1750, ———- Atkinson, daughter of Charles² Atkinson (1^st cousins), issue:

Muscoe⁴ Atkinson, b.c. 1753, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 16 Nov 1779, Amelia County, Virginia[40], m. 2 November 1773, Elizabeth Wyatt[41]

Joshua⁴ Atkinson, b.c. 1755, Amelia County, Virginia, w.d. 25 June 1831, w.p. 3 July 1837, Adair County, Kentucky[42], m. (1) 5 Aug 1777, Frances Walton[43], m. (2) 22 February 1790, Chesterfield County, Virginia, Frances Haskins[44]

Milley⁴ Atkinson, b.c. 1760, Amelia County, Virginia, d. 8 October 1778, Nottoway County, Virginia[45], m. 24 Dec 1778, Benjamin Overton, d.c. 1799^[46], he. m. 2^nd 1789 Elizabeth Mottley, widow of Josiah Hundley^[47]

Elizabeth⁴ Atkinson, b.c. 1767, d. aft. 1820, m. 7 Jun 1787, Henry Eastis[48], w.d. 5 January 1820, Green County, Kentucky^[49]

Thomas³ Atkinson married second on 5 Feb 1775, Cumberland County, VA, Elizabeth Dupuy, b.c. 1740, widow of ———— Dixon, dau. of John James Dupuy and Susanne LeVillain, issue:

Ann “Nancy”⁴ Atkinson, b. 24 Sep 1776, Amelia County, Virginia[50] , m. 26 Jan 1792 , John Mottley, d.c. 1841, Nottoway County, Virginia^[51],[52]    

John⁴ Atkinson, b. 4 Dec 1777, Amelia County, Virginia[53], d.c. 1808, Nottoway County, Virginia[54], m. 4 Jun 1801, Prince Edward County, Virginia, Elizabeth Smith[55]

Martha “Patsey”⁴ Atkinson, b. Nov 1778, Amelia County, Virginia[56], d. March 1870, Prince Edward County, Virginia[57], m. (1) 24 Nov 1796, James McGehee[58], d. 1803^{[59],[60],[61]} Nottoway Co., Virginia, m. (2) about 1819[62], Allen Chambers, d.c. 1841, Prince Edward County, Virginia.^[63]

---

[1] 27 January 1778 Answer of Thomas Atkinson. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 16 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia   

[2] 1772 Joseph & Nanny Chandler Bill of Complaint. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 22 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia   

[3] Quentin Maxwell, William. A True State of the Smallpox in Williamsburg, February 22, 1748. (2020, December 07). In Encyclopedia Virginia. https://encyclopediavirginia.org/entries/a-true-state-of-the-smallpox-in-williamsburg-february-22-1748.

[4] Some researchers claim that John² Atkinson married Jane Muscoe, daughter of Salvatore Muscoe, Jr. (1674-1741) and Mary Hucklescott (1678-1750). This is based on John Atkinson’s son Thomas naming his first son Muscoe Atkinson. This is simply not factual. Jane Muscoe died unmarried and her widowed mother Mary Muscoe on 17 April 1744 bound herself for £500 to the Essex Court “the condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Mary Muscoe administratrix of all the goods, chattles, and credits of Jane Muscoe deceased . . . “  Essex County Will Book No. 7 1743-1747, p. 141; https://www.familysearch.org/search/film/007645971?i=389&cat=133358           

[5] 1778 deposition of John³ Atkinson. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 12 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia; https://www.lva.virginia.gov/chancery/case_detail.asp?CFN=007-1787-002     

[6] Essex County, Virginia Will Book 8 1748-1750, p. 297;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-2SJV-8?i=171&cat=133358

[7] Essex County, Virginia Will Book 8 1747-1750, p. 176; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-2SVQ-D?i=110&cat=133358

[8] 1748 tithe list; Amelia County, Virginia tithe lists 1736-1782;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS79-173F?i=186&cat=670006

[9] Ibid. There were two John Comptons that lived in Amelia. One was from Louisa County and the other from Essex County. Although styled Sr. and Jr., they appear to be unrelated and this styling simply meant the “older” and “younger.”

[10] Essex County, Virginia Order Book 16 1749-1751, p. 18; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-GVHV?i=147&cat=401758

[11] The first day of the calendar year until 1752 was March 25.

[12] Essex County, Virginia Will Book 8 1747-1750, p. 186; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-2SVS-P?i=115&cat=133358

[13] Essex County, Virginia Deed Book 25 (1749-1752), p. 197-199; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89P6-LWNR?i=358&cat=413447; accessed 7 December 2021

[14] Ann was her given name, but she is often referred to as Nancy and later Nanny in extant records.

[15] 1778 deposition of John Compton. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 18 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia   

[16] Essex County, Virginia Will Book 8 1747-1750, p. 297; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-2SJV-8?i=171&cat=133358

[17] Essex County, Virginia Accounts of Orphans Estates 1731-1760, p. 126; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-ZHRR?i=141&cat=385449

[18] Essex County, Virginia Accounts of Orphans Estates 1731-1760, p. 150; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSK4-ZCFF?i=165&cat=385449

[19] Amelia County, Virginia Tax Lists 1736, 1764: An Every Name Index, (Miami Beach. FL: T.L.C. Genealogy, 1993), pp. 1,4-5  

[20] 1772 Joseph & Nanny (Atkinson) Chandler Bill of Complaint. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 22 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia     

[21] Musco Atkinson married on 2 November 1773.  Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print. Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[22] Joshua Atkinson Rev. War Pension Application dated 11 March 1833 he testified he was 78 years old.  https://revwarapps.org/s30835.pdf

[23] Ell definition. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/ell

[24] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 6 1757-1759, p. 289; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9NK-B?i=446&cat=282005

[25] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 7 1759-1762, p. 676; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9JJ-L?i=378&cat=282005

[26] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 7 1759-1762, p. 211; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9JH-R?i=515&cat=282005

[27] Amelia County, Virginia Deed Book No. 9 1765-1768, p. 101; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKH-Q9XQ-J?i=58&cat=282005

[28] Any Place America, https://www.anyplaceamerica.com/directory/va/nottoway-county-51135/streams/ellis-creek-1466250/

[29] Cumberland County Marriage Bonds, William and Mary College Quarterly Historical Magazine, Vol. 20, No. 1.

(Jul., 1911), p. 28

[30] Dupuy, Rev. B. H. The Huguenot Bartholomew Dupuy and his descendants, (Louisville; KY, Courier Journal Job Printing Co, 1908),  https://archive.org/details/huguenotbartholo00dupu/page/n5/mode/2up  

[31] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755. Print, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[32] Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 22 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia     

[33] Some researchers have suggested that Thomas Atkinson’s first wife was Margaret Foster, but this is not the case.     

[34] Joseph & Nanny Chandler 1772 Bill of Complaint. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 22 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia    

[35] Answer of Thomas Atkinson. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 14 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia    

[36] John Compton 1778 deposition. Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 18 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia    

[37] Amelia County, Virginia Chancery Court, Chandler v. Atkinson, No. 1787-002, Image 20 of 27, Virginia Memory, Virginia Chancery Court Records, Library of Virginia    

[38] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print. Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[39] Nottoway County, Virginia, Will Book 2 (1803-1809), p. 73; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-64JJ?i=370&cat=379144

[40] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[41] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 36, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[42] Will of Joshua Atkinson names these children without distinguishing which wife. Adair County, Kentucky, Will Records 1832-1845, Vol. D, p. 63;   https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33S7-9P3T-9GR5?i=50&wc=37RV-GPJ%3A173383101%2C173476001&cc=1875188

[43] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 36, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[44] Virginia, U.S., Compiled Marriages, 1660-1800, Ancestry.com Operations Inc.

[45] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 36, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[46] Benjamin Overton Inventory & Appraisal dated 15 November 1799. Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 1 1789-1802, p. 417; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-64KT?i=241&cat=379144

[47] Her 1835 will names children Benjamin, Sally, Mary, Prudence, Lucinda and John. Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 7 1834-1839, p. 382; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9GY-396C-N?i=142&cat=379144

[48] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 36, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[49] Will of Henry Eastis. Wills and Inventories, 1794-1959; Author: Kentucky. County Court (Green County); Probate Place: Green, Kentucky; Ancestry.com  

[50] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[51] John Motley Estate Appraisal. Nottoway County Will Book 8 1836-1845, p. 217;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9GY-39DB-2?i=306&cat=379144

[52] Nottoway County Will Book 8 1836-1845, p. 305; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-L9GY-39DT-J?i=349&cat=379144

[53] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[54] John Atkinson appears on the 1807 personal property tax list, 1808 is missing and his estate appears in 1809;   Nottoway County, Virginia Personal property lists 1789-1822, Family History Library, United States & Canada 2nd Floor Film 1870184 Item 2,  Image group No. 8151583; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSKJ-39T7-D?mode=g&cat=637441

[55] Virginia, Select Marriages, 1785-1940, Ancestry.com

[56] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[57] U.S. Federal Census Mortality Schedules, 1850-1880, National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington, D.C.; Non-population Census Schedules for Virginia, 1850-1880; Archive Collection: T1132; Archive Roll Number: 10; Census Year: 1870; Census Place: Lee, Prince Edward, Virginia, Ancestry.com

[58] Atkinson, Thomas. Account Book, 1755-1829. N.p., 1755, Print, Sheet 35, Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia

[59] 1803 Account sales of the estate of James McGehee. Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 46; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-64H9?i=374&cat=379144  

[60] Inventory of James McGehee. Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 81;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-64H9?i=374&cat=379144   

[61] James McGehee 1807 Account of Estate.  Nottoway County, Virginia Will Book 2, p. 394;  https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-99PX-64CZ?i=531&cat=379144  

[62] Their son Joseph D. Chambers was born on 10 August 1820; https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10901177/j.-d.-chambers

[63] Allen Chamber’s 1836 will names wife Martha, son John D. Chambers, daughter Martha Chambers and names Thomas McGehee executor. Prince Edward County Will Book No. 8 1837-1844, p. 300; https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-C9PX-L9YD-L?i=428&cat=378289; 1841 Inventory of Allen Chambers mentions enslaved people that belonged to the estate of James McGehee, p. 397      

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