Individual Details

Rev. Obediah Echols (-1798), a Baptist minister, married Catherine McDaniel in Halifax County 13 January (bond) 1770.
“Katy” was a daughter of “a Very Rich old Irishman,” William McDaniel who deeded this couple 850 acres on Bradley Creek in Halifax County in 1770 and 400 acres in 1771.

Obediah and Catherine sold their 400-acre tract to John Milner 27 December 1777. They had seven children who were in Georgia, Tennessee, and Kentucky.

Obediah was head of a household of seven whites in Halifax County in 1785. He then had no dwelling house. Obediah married second Lucy Atkinson (Jackson) Jones, daughter of Elizabeth Claiborne and Isaac Jackson, and the widow of Abraham Jones, in Halifax County 9 June 1791.

Obediah left a will in Pittsylvania County which distinguished children of both wives (will dated 5 May 1798, & recorded 21 Jan. 1799 - see later). His widow married third William Rainey (14 Sept. 1752 - 12 July 1819) in Pittsylvania County 17 January (bond) 1799. It was this William Rainey who married second Obediah’s sister Elizabeth. A 1799-chancery suit identified Obediah’s children, except William. Benjamin and James were no longer in Virginia.


Pittsylvania Co DB 9
p.215 2 Nov 1791 Thomas Adams, Burrel Vaden, George Maid Wright to Obadiah Echols of Halifax Co. 200#'s 295 acres on branches of Sweetins fork of Sandy Creek. Begin oak in Shorts line, to Claibrooks line, dividing line between Claibrook & Adams, Westbrooks Spring branch.
Signed: George M. Wright, Burrel (+) Vaden, Thomas Adams
Wit: John Keesee, Wm. W. ?Craw Jr, William Burgess, Elijah (+) Adams, David Tanner Sr/Jr, George M. Wright.
16 Apr 1792 Ack by George M. Wright & Burwell Vadin. Proved by oaths of 2 wit to be act & deed of Thomas Adams. 21 May 1793 – proved by other wit

I believe this is the Obediah Echols that served as Administrator for the estate of his first cousin, Joseph Echols, son of Abraham, brother to Richard, Obediah's father.
Halifax Co Va Will Book 3
p.112   Jul Court 1794    Estate of Joseph Echolds.  Obediah Echolds, Admin.  Account current Returned & ordered rec 28 Jul 1794
Will Book 6
p.107 Dec Court 1799 Accounts of Leonard Baker, guardian of Moses, Obadiah, Rhoda & Joseph Echols, orphan of Joseph Echols. Obadiah - clothing & boarding, 7 years, 3 months.
These two entries show plainly that the Obadiah Echols, Admin of Joseph Echols, dec'd [who was a son of Abraham, brother to this Obadiah's father Richard] must have been this man who was his first cousin. The son of Joseph, Obadiah, was still a minor in 1799, although his father had died circa 1792.

Pittsylvania Co DB 10
p.117 3 Feb 1795 Benjamin Echols of Halifax to Obediah Echols Ser of Pittsylvania Co. For natural love and afftection to sd Obediah Echols Senr. 100#'s. All right & title to Negroes now in possession of Obediah Echols conveyed by deed of gift from William McDaniel Sr to sd Obediah & Catherine his wife, dated 16 May 1771. Excepting Abraham & Betty. Phillis, Archer, Mary, Sister, Tabatha, Sylvia & Critta with all the future increase. Signed: Benjamin Echols
Wit: Wm Barksdale, John Lovett, Wm Payne Jr, Armistead Shelton
16 Feb 1795, proved by three of witnesses

p.202 3 Feb 1795 Obadiah Echols Senr to James, Obediah Jr, Nancy, Elijah and Betsy Echols, sons and daughters. For Natural love and affection and sum of 5sh. After the decease of the said Obedish Echols Senr, seven slaves: Phillis, Archer, Mary, Scoter, Tabotha, Sylvia & Critta with all future increase. Signed: Obadiah Echols. Wit: Wm Barksdale, John Lovell, Wm Payne Jr, Armistead Shelton
20 Jul 1795 Proved by witnesses

Pittsylvania Co DB 11 [which includes wills]
p.205 Will of Obediah Echols
My executors to purchase a valuable Negro man with part of the money due me per Bond from Theod. B. McRobert payable the 25 of Dec next and they lay out 125#'s due me by bond from sd McRobert payable 25 Dec 1799 in the purchase of a tract of land in any place that my wife Lucy A. Echols may choose. I lend to my said wife the Negro Man & land above mentioned. Also furniture & livestock, plantation utensils, and 26#'s due me from my son James Echols during her natural life. At her death, to be divided between my three children: Phillip J. Echols, Samuel B. Echols and Polley E. Echols or the survivors of them. If Mrs. Eliza. Jackson, mother of my sd wife should be departed, the Negroes to which I should be entitled to under the Will of Mr. Clayborn ???Lawson be disposed of as follows: To Henry A. Jones & Edward D. Jones, sons of my said wife the Negroes Sophia & Brandon. Lend to my wife the rest of sd Negroes and at her death to be divided between my three children: Phillip J. Echols, Samuel B. Echols, & Polley E. Echols.
To my son Obediah Echols one chestnut sorrel mare
To dau Betsey Echols feather bed & ¼ of stock of cattle
To dau Nancy Echols feather bed, horse saddle & bridle of $80 value from money from hire of my Negroes which are in Georgia
To son Elijah Gun and ¼ part of stock of cattle
Son Benjamin Echols 5sh, he having already had his full part
Slaves to my five children: James Echols, Obediah Echols, Nancy Echols, Elijah Echols & Betsey Echols by deed of gift to be hired out until Elijah arriaves at lawful age & then to be equally divided among the five.
Executors: Wife, brother Joesph Echols, Matthew Bates, Edmund Fitzgerald
5 May 1798 Signed: Obadiah Echols
Wit: Thos. H. Wooding, Theo. B. McRobert
21 Jan 1799 Proved by one of witnesses, Proved by Thodorick B. McRobert. Mathew Bates & Edmond Fitzgerald to take on the execution thereof. On motion of William Raney, who intermarried with Lucy Echols, widow. Martin Farmer & Peyton Thomas, securities.


Pittsylvania Co DB 11
p.429 17 Jan 1799 William Rainey of Caswell NC and Lucy A. Echols, widow & relict of Obadiah Echols late of Pittsylvania Co and James Rainey of Caswell NC of 3rd part. William Rainey is marrying Lucy Echols. She is entitled to a considerable personal estate in remainder as expectant on the death of Elizabeth Johnson her mother. Slaves: Mary, Lucy, Sophey, Patty, James, Brandon, Charles Evans, John, and their increase by the Will of Claiborne Lawson dec'd. After the deaths of William Rainey & Lucy to be disposed equally among her children. Transferred to James Rainey for 21sh. William & Lucy to enjoy all rights during their lifetimes. Signed by William Rainey, Lucy A Echols, James Rainey Feb 18 1799 - proved by witnesses.

Children of Obediah and Catherine (McDaniel) Echols
4› William Echols [838.5.5.1] died before 1799.
4› Benjamin Echols [838.5.5.2] married Betsy Milner.
4› James Echols [838.5.5.3] married Sally Rutledge.
4› Obediah Echols [838.5.5.4] married a Franklin.
Obediah married Nanny Franklin, 7 Sep 1805, Halifax Co VA. [This marriage is often attached to the Obediah Echols who was a son of Joseph Echols, but he was deceased prior to this date, his will recorded in Pittsylvania Co and names his siblings.]
4› Elijah Echols [838.5.5.5] married a Willingham who “was said to be the greatest millwright that ever was seen in the state.”
4› Betsy Echols [838.5.5.6] married Thomas Rutledge. She and her sister Nancy moved to Tennessee.
Children of Obediah and Lucy Atkinson (Jackson) Jones Echols
4› Philip Jackson Echols [838.5.5.7] (18 April 1792) married Mary Elizabeth Jackson at the home of his stepfather William Raney in Caswell County, North Carolina, 21 January 1813.
4› Samuel Brame Echols [838.5.5.8] (11 July 1795) married Sally Booker.
4› Mary Claiborne Echols [838.5.5.9] (27 Sept. 1797 - 8 Feb. 1847) married Thomas Raney.

Birth	Abt 1755	Virginia
Marriage	3 Jan 1770	Halifax County, Virginia - Catherine McDaniel
Death	1799

Spouse

Catherine McDaniel (1750 - )

Father	Richard Echols (1706 - 1786)
Mother	Catherine Evans ( - )
Sibling	Drucilla Echols (1736 - )
Sibling	John Echols (1737 - 1826)
Sibling	Moses Echols (1740 - )
Sibling	James Echols (1739 - 1823)
Sibling	Mary Echols ( - )
Sibling	Sarah Echols ( - )
Sibling	Benjamin Echols (1751 - 1828)
Sibling	Joseph Echols (1757 - 1814)
Sibling	Anna Echols (1764 - 1806)
Sibling	Elizabeth Echols (1766 - )