Notes, Documents and Wills for Descendants

Notes for William Womack:

William Womack, believed to be the patriarch of most Womacks in the United States today. I personally have never found any documentation or proof that he actually existed other than traditions past down from generation to generation. Whoever the patriarch was we have records of his children. We should try to prove our lineage as in a court of law, however I know there are times when that piece of paper is not there and all we have is family traditions. As Sam Womack another Womack researcher said "I'm not calling my ggrandma a liar". Proof is important and if it is out there we should try and find it. Below are notes taken from notes sent me from other researchers about William the Immigrant.

Compiler of this genealogy, Roger Gail Womack

William WOMACK Sr.

Birth: ca 1610/1620, Norfolk, EnglandDeath: bef 1685, Henrico Co., VA, age: abt.,75. The ancestor of most of the Womacks in America today is believed to be William Womack who was born about 1610 to 1620 presumably in England, County of Norfolk. [1] There are still Womacks in that area. On a tour of England in 1970 a Womack store was noticed in Sleaford. William is believed to have come to Henrico County, Virginia between 1630 and 1640. There were three daughters Ann, Mary, and Jane. Ref: Valentine Papers, Vol. III, pp. 1766-1802 [1] Later research credits his place of birth as Wragby, Lincolnshire, Eng. William patented land in the Bermuda Hundred Section of Henrico Co., Va. in 1665. Ref. CDXVII Century Applic. on William Womack b 1620 Eng/Va. in 1657. William Womack on tithing list of Henrico Co., Va. in 1679. Va. Rec. Bk. 1677-92 pp. 492, 716, 762. Va. State Library. Also "Rand, Hale & Allied Families" by Nettie Hale Rand, 1940. Other references: Valentine Papers pp. 1772, 1774.William & Mary College Quarterly V-24 p. 208. Virginia Historical Magazine, Minutes of the Council and General Court of Colonial Virginia p 369.Chesterfield Co. Va. p. 48 by Lutz. The descendants of William Womack remained essentially southern families. In the 1790 census there were at least 30 Womack families in Virginia. There were 11 in North Carolina and 2 in South Carolina. Later they went westward to Tennessee, Kentucky and Missouri and later still to the northwest and farther west. They went south to Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, and other states. The Womack name is spelled with many variations in the records: Womack, Wamack, Wamoche, Wommack, Waamock, Wamocke and many others.

The most used pronunciation of the families in North Carolina and Tennessee put the accent on the first syllable as Wom'ack. In a few instances an "r" was used in the first syllable as War'mack. Note:

There is a Womack family in Massachusetts whose ancestry has not been connected with the William Womack family of Henrico Co., Va. There was a Henry Womack and wife Pheobe Rondall of Massachusetts who had a son George b 9 Apr 1653 Accomac Co., Va. m Elvira Lansing b 1656 Middlesex Co., Ma. d/o George Lansing and Mary Afton. The children of George and Elvira (Lansing) Womack were all born Accomack Co., Va.: Daniel b 1678 m Sarah Listen; Jerry b 1680 m Emily Payson; Martha b 1681 m George Todd; Mary b 1682 m William Lerner; Henry b 1684 m Sarah Scranton, David b 1686 m Mary Thomas; Phoebe b 1687 m John Creighton; John b 1689 m Eleanor Huntley. The children of David and Mary (Thomas) Womack were: Nicholas b 1710 m Phoebe Nerbe; Tilley b 1712 m Jonathan Upsall and Eliza Ann b 1715 m James Pitkin. Reference: The Womack & Allied Families by Thomas pub. 1932, p.154 Early Settlers of Mass. by Stull pp 19-33.Vital Rec. of Mass. by Stiles Vol 3 thru 9.Note: Archer Womack was listed as settler in Virginia in 1619. An Archer Womack of Greenup Co., Ky was born 1719 in Virginia. Ref: Womack Genealogy Vol 1 p 4 by Womack Family Assoc.William Womack Sr. is thought to be the "immigrant" ancestor of the WOMACK family with all its various spellings.

Notes for Abraham Womack:

It is believed Abraham married Sarah Sumercales after the death of Sarah Worsham. Sarah Sumercales, one of his headrights in connection with his Patent of 1688. Will listed on page 416 of the Henrico Co., Wills and deeds. Probated October 1733 in Varina, VA. On rent roll, Henrico Co., VA. April 1705 for 560 Acres.

Will of Abraham Womack,1733, Henrico Co.,

VA.- Henrico County Deeds & Wills,No.2 Part 1. 1725-1737. page 416;

" In The name of God The said Abraham Womeck of the County and Parish of Henrico being Sick and weak but of sound and Disposing m(ind?)------------ this my last Will and Testament in writeing as followeth Imprimis, I give and Devise to -------------my household goods which I left in his possession excepting a Suit of Curtains and ca(?)-------------------------------also give my said Sons Wife my Gown Item I also give To my said Son my Ca-------W (?) Womack son of Wm Womack what money James Daniel owes me Item I give and Devise----------eck my Two Negro Men Frank and York to him and his heirs forever I also give to my said Son----------ay Money which I have in Mr Perrys hands Excepting Forty Shillings I also give to my said Son ----------Item I give and Devise to my Grandson William Womeck Son

of Abraham Womack my horse--------I give To my Son Abraham Two brown Cows and a brown Steer Item I give and Devise to my--------a Hambleton one

Shilling Sterling and no more Item I give and Devise To my Son Thomas Womeck my Negro Matt To him and his heirs forever I also give to my said Son the forty Shillings which I Excepted To be sent for ing(y?)--------I also give To my said Son Thomas my Bed and all the Furniture yt belongs to it; I also give to my said ---------Brass Kettle; I also give To my said Son one Trunk, and all my new goods I have by me I also give my said---------I also give To my Son Thomas all my Wareing Apparriel both Linning and Wooling, I also give my (?)---------(Spinning) Wheel Item I give and Devise To my Son Abraham Womeck all my money which he has-------------also give tomy said Son all my household goods not mentioned. My Desire is to be by (?)------------ Son Abrahams Discreation who I Constitute and appoint and appoint Whole and Sole Executor of------Will and Testament in Witness whereof I have I have hereunto Set my hand and Affixed my Seal----------November 1732

his

Signed, Sealed and published, and Abraham A W Womeck (Seal)

Dec--------------Abraham Womeck mark

as his last Will and------------------

in presence of us, and this To take place

before all oth(?)---------ade by Me

John Archer

Robert Graves

Sarah her X mark Cook

At a ------at Vorina for Henrico County the first Monday in October 1733

This-----and Testament of Abraham Womeck Deceasd, was presented by

Ab-------meck Executor upon oath and the same being proved by the--------

Archer, and Sarah Cook, was there upon admitted To record

Tesr. Bowler Cocke ClCur"

As to stay true to the original Will, it has been typed as it appears. Because of it's age it is impossible to read many parts, some of them can be figured out, however I chose to copy it exact as any addition could be in error.

PATENT BOOK 8, PAGE 172 - 20 OCTOBER 1691 ( proves Sarah Somerseals could not be the mother of Abraham,s children)

John Wosham, Edward Straton and Abraham Womack - 879 acres - Henrico County. "To all &c whareas &c now know yee that I ye sd ffrancis Nicholson Esqr. the? Lt. Govr. &c give and grant unto Mr. John Wosham Mr. Abraham Womack a tract of land containing eight hundred seventy nine acres lying and being in ye County of Henrico at the mouth of a run known by ye name of ye Cold Water Run and runeth thence along that runn as it wendeth to ye head thereof to two corner pines thence east fifty six poles to a corner pine thence north north west forty nine poles to a corner white oake thence north by east ninety two poles to a corner Pockray (?) thence west north west one hundred poles to a corner pine, thence west by south one hundred and eighty poles to a corner pine, thence north west by west eighty eight poles to a corner pine thence north west and by north sixty eight poles to a corner black oake thence north sixty eight poles to a corner white oake thence north west one and fifty poles ta a corner black oake, thence west fourty eight poles to a corner pine, thence south west one hundred and eighty poles to a corner black oake standing on Swift Creeke thence down ye creeke as it wendeth to ye place it begun The sd land being due unto ye sd Mr. John Worsham Mr. Edward Stratton & Mr. Abraham Womack by and for ye Importation of eighteen psons &c To have and to hold &c To be held &c yeilding and paying &c provided &c dated ye 20th day of October Ano Dom 1691 ( Names of those transported:) 5 negroes by Cert. granted Mr. Rich Kennon for seventy negroes by Henrico County Court Aprill 1st 1690 Richard Lewis, Judith Lewis, Sarah Somerseals, Clemons Proveer, John Stewart, Wm Migettoe, James Butlidge, John Bull, Eliza, Pain, Tom, Nan, Peter, negroes."

Abraham Womack, who was born about 1645, (son of William Womack the immigrant) lived at or near Bermuda Hundred, on the James River, in Chesterfield (then Henrico) County, Virginia. The year of his birth can be fixed approximately from court records. It is stated that he was about 35 years old on June 2, 1679, and he is referred to as being about 42 years old in August 1687. The earliest reference to Abraham seems to be in the minutes of the council and general court at page 369, where it is stated, under date of April 8, 1674, with reference to the difference between Abraham Womack and William Clarke about the estate of William Womack deceased, that:

"It is ordered that the said Abra: Womack (brother of the said William) have two thirds of his Estate, both reall and personall and that the Widow have the other pt."

In the Burton Chronicles of Colonial Virginia (1933) by Francis Burton Harrison, at page 33, Abraham is described as follows:

"Abraham Womeck, as appears from the records, was what is known in parlance of today as a "sport", and seems to have lived life to the full. He was frequently 'had up' for drunkenness and profanity, and his race horses were famous in the annuls of the tracks at Varina and Bermuda Hundred, where he lived."

One of the horse races in which he participated is mentioned in the early Henrico County records. The wager was three hundred pounds of tobacco and Col. Epes was security for payment. Bartholomew Roberts in an affidavit made in October 1678, testified:

"That July last year your deponent being at Bermuda Hundred there being a horse race between Abraham Womack and Richard Ligon. Capt. Thos. Chamberlayne being at ye end of ye race, he asked whether both horses were ready to run. Young Thos. Cocke saying yes and Abraham Childers being ordered start ye horses, he bid them goe. Thos. Cocke's horse went four or five horses lengths from ye starting place, run out of ye way and Thos. Cocke rained him and cryed it was not a faire start and Capt. Thos. Chamberlayne calling ye other horses runt out of the way."

(Henrico Book 1, 1677-1692, p.90).

That Abraham was frequently guilty of swearing and drinking, which were then punishable offences, is shown by these other entries in the court records; e.g.: "Jan. 25, 1678. Abraham Womack was disguised in Drinke" (Henrico Book 1, p. 70); "Aug. 14,1678. Abraham Womack was drunk by his own confession." (ibid. p. 71) and "May 6, 1692. Abraham Womack for swearing above five times." (ibid. p. 271).

On August 20,1692, Thomas Chamberlayne gave information against Abraham Womack, that the latter, contrary to the Act of of the Assembly against Tipling houses, had without a license kept and maintained a common Tipling and Drinking house at his plantation where he had sold drink by retail. Edward Chitton appeared as attorney for the accused and succeeded in getting the case dismissed on the grounds that the information charged violations of two statutes, one applying to licensed houses and the other to homes and that no one could be legally tried for violating two penal statutes at the same time (ibid. 1, p. 489).

In October 1692, Abraham complained to the Court that the orphans of his brother Richard, who died in 1684, suffered from want of education and apparel under the tuition of John Granger, who had married Richard's widow, Mary (Puckett) Womack, and Granger was summoned to answer the charge. (ibid. pp. 424, 456).

In 1697, Abraham contested the will of his brother Thomas on the grounds of insanity. After trial, the jury found that Thomas was sane.

In April 1699, it appeared that the Colony might have cause to fear "the Indian commonly called the Emperor of Piscatoway or Architekes and his Indians." It was ordered that Constable Edward Tanner give notice to all the principal inhabitants and others within his precinct, especially to Captain Joseph Royall, Abraham Womack, Francis Patram, Henry Lound, Henry Hatcher, Thomas Osborne, Thomas Edwards, Thomas Jefferson, and Edward Haskins, to appear at Court on Friday next, the 21st (Henrico Book 3, p. 225).

(Note: Thomas Jefferson in above paragraph was the grandfather of Thomas Jefferson, 3rd., President of the United States of America. Abrahams wife Sarah Worsham had a brother named John Worsham who married Agnes Branch sister of Martha or Mary Branch who was married to Thomas Jefferson, grandfather of President Thomas Jefferson).

Abraham was appointed constable in 1685, overseer of the highways in 1693, and surveyor of roads in 1696, and on several occasions he served on grand and petit juries (Valentine Papers, Vol. 3, pp. 1768-1802). In June, 1690, there is evidence to the effect that Abraham agreed to serve as attorney for Thomas Burton for which he was to receive "forty shillings & a barrell of mackarell" (Henrico Book 3, p. 227 and Burton Chronicles p. 42). He probably did trading with the Indians. On March 1, 1699, he petitioned for liberty to entertain five Indians.

His Will, dated November 1732, was admitted to probate at Varina, then the County seat of Henrico County, on the first Monday in October, 1733. He was approximately 88 years of age at his death. Unfortunately, through deterioriation or tearing, portions of the will are missing. The name of the first litagee is missing but the property given includes "household goods which I felt in his possession" and after a blank appears "also give my said sons wife***" and "I also give my said son my ***". This shows the missing parts included a son.

The chrildren of Abraham are as follows: Jane, Thomas, Abraham Jr., Martha and William.

Will of Thomas Womack (Sr.) 1733, Henrico

County, VA.- Henrico County Deeds & Wills, No. 2, Pt. 1, 1725-1737, pages

424 & 425:

"IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN The four and Twentieth Day of March in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven hundred & Thirty Two,Three, I Thomas Womack Senr. of Henrico County being in perfect Sense and Memory Thanks be given unto God Therefore, calling unto mind the Mortality of my body and knowing that it is Appointed for all Men to Die Do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say princiaply & first of All I give and recommend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christian like & Deceant manner at the Descreatin of my Executor Nothing Doubting but at the General reasurection I shall receive the Same again by the Mighty power of God and as Touching Such Worldly Estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me in this life I give Devise & Dispose of the same in manner and form following (Vis) Imprimus I give and bequeath unto my Sons Abraham Womack & William Womack the Land from the Branch called the licking Branch To a run called rockey run at their Disposal on condition they shall buy & Sell one of Another without A better offer; Item I give to my Son Isham & to my Son Thomas the Land from the rockey run to the head line to be Equally Divided between them to buy and Sell one with another without a better(?) offer Item(torn) Son Francis the Land I now live upon from the said licking branch To held (?) Water. Item I give my Son Abraham one Bed & furniture with the provisor my Wife gets that which my Father left me at the Hundred. Item I give to my Son William my Sadle and Bridle and one hat. Item I give to my Daughter Judith one Cow & Calf and to my Daughter Sarah one Ewe and Lamb. Item I give To my Daughter Elizabeth one Ewe and Lamb and likewise my daughter Mary one Ewe & Lamb. Item I give to my Daughter Martha one great Looking Glass. Item I give to my Son Isham one Sow and piggs, or a Sow with pigg. Item I give to my Son Francis one Sow and piggs. Item I give to my Son Thomas one Cow & Calf, and one Sow and piggs and one fether Bed & furniture. Item I give to my beloved Wife Mary all the rest of my Whole Estate and likewise what my ffather hath left me; and the Negro Woman after her

(decease?) to be returned to my Son Francis. This being my last Will and Testament I hereby Constribute and appoint my Wife whole and Sole Executrix, revoking and making voide all other Wills Given under my hand and Seal the Day and Year before Written.

Thomas (Seal)

Sign'd Seal'd and Delivered Womack

in thepresence of Us

Nathaniel Tanner

James Akin Junr.

Benjamin Fernando

At the Court held for Henrico County the first Monday in January 1733: This last Will and Testament of Thomas Womack Deceasd was presented by the Executrickx upon Oath, and the Same being proved by the Oaths of Nathaniel Tanner & james Akin Two of the Witnesses thereto it was thereupon Admitted to record.

Test. Bowler Cocke ClCur."

Will of Mary Farley Womack

1759,Chesterfield Co., Va.-Chesterfield Co., Will Book 1,1749-1765,

pages 188 and 189:

"In the name of God Amen the 23rd Day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and fifty I the subscriber being very sick and weak but in my perfect sences blessed God for it and therefore calling to mind the mortality of the Body and knowing that it is appointed for all Men once to Die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament that is to say Principally and first of all I recommend my Soul into the hans of God that gave it trusting in the Merits of my Blessed Saviour Jesus Christ I shall receive the same by the mighty Power of God &c and as touching such Estate as it has been Pleass God to bless me with in this World I gove devise and dispose of the same in the manner and form following Imprimis

I give and bequeath to my beloved Son Francis Womack my Feather Bed and Boolster & a Rug & a pear of Sheets wheron I now lie Sick and my large Table & my large IornPoot and a large Peuter Dish & a large Bason &2 Puter Plates as also I give to my two Sons Francis and Thos. Womack nine Chattle to be equally divided between them Also I give to my Son Francis my Negro Woman nam'd Mall, also I give to my Son Thos. my Hand Mill and to my Son Francis my Grind Stone. I also give to my Son Thos. my Chist & also one Iorn Poot & a large Kittle and one branded Dish & one Bason & 3 Plates & a Spice Mortar & brass Candlestick & my Horse if he be found and two Leather Chears & two Rush Chears and to my Son Francis one leatther Chear & foore Rush botomd Chears & to my Son Thos. one tinn Candlestick,Also I lend to my Daughter Judy a Feather Bed & Boolster and give her all my Wool I have in the House except a pound and I give to my Daughter Sarah Rise my new Virginia Cloth wooling goune and my new Quilted Pettycoote & a peace(?) of Boodess & newest holland Apron & Hankerchef & a capp & my Termeter(??) Hatt & no more Also to my Daughter Elizabeth Hatch.t (Hatchett)my Englishgoune and a holland Apron& a Hankerchief&no more And to my Daughter Mary Man I give my blew Virginia Cloth wooling goune &my new straw Hatt & one of my new Aporns made of cotton & linen and no more And all the rest of my

new straw Hatt & one of my new Aporns made of cotton & linen and no more And all the rest of my wareing Cloaths I give to my Daughter Judy booth Lining & Wooling and also my Side Saddle and no more and for my three Sons Abram & Isham & William I give each of them one Shelling apeace & no more. memorandum ye Bed as I have let to my Daughter Judy is but for two years & then return to my Sons Francis & Thos. to be equally divided between with ye Boolster & ye Rug & Sheets & Blanket for Thos. my Son and for every thing I have not mention'd is to be equally divided amongst them all as lives heare with me whar unto I make and ordain my two Sons Francis & Thomas Womack my hole Executors of this my last Will & Testament given under my the Day (sic) and year first writn.

Said Sig'd & Delivered Mary Womack (L S)

in (?) the presence of us

William Graves

Thos. his T mark Frankly Senr.

William Walford"

In retyping this last Will and Testament of Mary Farley Womack I have kept all grammer and spelling as to the original.

This nuncupative will of William Womack decd, was presented in the court by Simon Jackson

and the same being committed to writing in the presence of Thomas Lorton, Berwell Brown, Henry Barnes, Martha Eanes & Thomas Farguson, the witnesses in whose presences the testamentory words were spoken and ordered to be recorded.

Abner was on the Logan County, KY tax list for 1800, and Butler County, KY tax list in 1810.9 Says Abner died in Bowling Green, KY.1 Abner was a Revolutionary War veteran. In "Index of Revolutionary War Pension Application Papers" is listed "WOMACK, Abner, N.C., S30804, b VA". His Pension file No from Butler Co KY is 530804. From DAR Patriot Index Vol II p. 229: "W0MACK, Abner b 1-7-1764 d p 9-4-1837 m Agnes Reid Pvt NC PNSR".

This was abstracted by the late Mrs. Nellie P. Waldenmaier, genealogist, of Washington, DCABNER WOMACK - NC (born in VA) File No. S 30804:-

Butler Co., KY, 12 Nov 1832 - "personally appeared" Abner Womack aged 68 years. Entered service by draft, 1780, in Lincoln Co., NC, was private under Capt. Jacob Collins, Lieut. French, Ensign Joseph Beaty, Col. Arrington's Regiment. Rendezvoused in Lincoln Co., NC, marched to Charleston, SC, arrived in Charleston early in April where he was placed under Brig. Genl. McIntosh. (Long details of service.)Altogether he served two months and 2 days, all the time in militia. Was discharged. Served a second tour of three months in militia. In Dec 1781, he joined a company of Mounted Rangers as a substitute for Reuben Petty of Burke Co., NC. Marched to Upper Fort in Burke Co., engaged in scouting in different parts of the State for protection against the Indians. Sometime in Feb 1782, he received a discharge, signed by Lieut. Davidson, which he has lost.He was born in Prince Edward Co., VA, 7 Jan 1764; lived in Lincoln Co., NC until 1797 when he moved to Logan Co., KY, to that part which is now Butler Co. Received a pension of $24.44 per annum.Letters of inquiry concerning pensions of Abner and William Womack from O. B. Womack, Route 4, McMinnville, TN in 1916, and from Mrs. B. Bentley, West Main St., McMinnville, TN. (no date). EDITORS NOTE: The above Abner Womack was son of Abraham and Elizabeth Womack of Virginia and Lincoln Co., NC.3 Page 23:Butler County, KY WOMACK'S in 1810 Census:Abner WOMACK - 1 male aged over 45; 1 female aged 26 to 45; 2 males and 1 female aged 16 to 26; 1 male aged 10 to 16; 2 males and 3 females aged under 10.12 I have copies of court documents where Abner Womack (Sr.), Willis Hargrove, and a McReynolds were partners in a "salt well" business in Kentucky.

ABNER - N. C. (born in VA), File No. S 30804: Butler Co., Ky., 12 of Nov., 1832 - "personally appeared" Abner Womack, aged 68 years. Entered service, by draft, 1780, in Lincoln Co., N. C.; was private under Capt. Jacob Collins, Lieut. French, Ensign Joseph Beaty, Col. Arrington's Regiment. Rendezvoused in Lincoln Co.,

N. C.; marched to Charleston, S. C. Arrived in Charleston early in April where he was placed under Brig. Genl. McIntosh. (Long details of service.)

Altogether he served two months and 2 days, all the time in militia. Was discharged. Served a second tour of three months in militia. In Dec., 1781, he joined a company of Mounted Rangers as a substitute for Reuben Petty of Burke Co., N. C. Marched to Upper Fort in Burke Co.; engaged in scouting in different parts of the State for protection against the Indians. Sometime in Feb., 1782, he received a discharge, signed by Lieut. Davidson, which he has lost.

He was born in Prince Edward Co., Va. Jan. 7, 1764; lived in Lincoln Co., NC, until 1797 when he moved to Logan [Co.], Ky., to that part which is now Butler Co. Received a pension of $24,44 per anntm,

Letters of inquiry concerning pensions of Abner and William Womack from 0. B. Womack, Route 4,

McMinnville, Tenn., in 1916, and from Mrs. B. Bentley, West Main Street, McMinnville, Tenn. (no date).

EDITOR"S NOTE: The above Abner Womack was son of Abraham and Elizabeth Womack of Virginia and Lincoln Co,, N. C.