Individual Details

William married Sarah Turner.

http://www.virginians.com/redirect.htm?topics&838
Virginians, The Family History of John W. Pritchard
William Echols, the son of John Echols and Mary Cave, lived first in Prince George County in the area that later became Amelia County. From 1734 to 1741, Echols obtained patents to about 1,200 acres near the Appomattox River in Prince George/Amelia County: 400 acres 1 August 1734 [on Stocks Creek & perhaps sold to brother John], 397 acres 13 October 1736 described as being on the Appomattox and adjoining his own land, and 400 acres 1 December 1740 described as now being in Amelia Co and on a ridge between Flatt & Sandy Creek. On 14 November 1741, “the 15th year of reign of George II,” William sold half the latter 400-acre land patent to William Silcock for £40 and the other half to Lewis Turner for £40. He sold 420 acres of his 1734 patent to his brother John Echols in 1744. He was a surveyor from 11 March 1736/7 until 25 September 1739 when Amelia County appointed Matthew Talbot to replace him. Amelia County charged Echols on four tithes in 1737.

One note here: One Benjamin Clemments [sic] patented 400 acres in Amelia Co on branches of the Bent Run which adjoined lines of Willm. Echols and others, dated 16 Jun 1738. Abraham & Joseph Echols also had patents on Bent Run. There is a tradition that Thomas Walters' wife Lucy was a Clement and they did have a son named Clement Walters. Since descendants of the Echols ended up also in Pittsylvania Co with the Walters this may be something worth investigation.

William’s wife was Sarah Turner. William was living in Raleigh Parish, Amelia County 2 February 1747/8 when he and his wife, Sarah, leased 200 acres to William Branton and his wife, Ann. This property was part of a 1,091-acre land patent and encompassed a plantation on Saylers Creek and a spring. As a part of the lease, Branton was to plant an orchard, keep the plantation in good repair, and raise cattle. Echols placed six cows and calves there. If Branton ended the lease after four years, he was to return the cows and calves and half their increase. If he stayed longer than four years, half of all the cattle would be his. Branton bought the property 15 June 1750. The original patent for 1091 acres on both sides of Little Saylors Creek was issued 20 Aug 1747 - this Creek now is within the boundaries of Prince Edward Co formed out of Amelia in 1753.

William and Sarah were living in Cumberland Parish, Lunenburg County, 17 March 1748/9 when he sold Francis Anderson 320 acres of his 1734-patent. This deed was recorded 19 May 1749 after William’s wife, Sarah, relinquished her dower right. They had gotten 152 acres in Brunswick (later Lunenburg) County in October 1741 and 102 acres in August 1745. The Lunenburg County tithes list of 1749 included William Echols. The next year they enumerated both William Echols Sr. and Jr.

In 1747 William got two land patents in Amelia County. The first was for 104 acres on Stocks Creek and the second was for 1,091 acres on both sides of Little Saylers Creek [now Prince Edward Co]. William was still “of Lunenburg County” when, on 26 September 1751, he sold the land encompassed by these two patents: 104 acres to James Wingo for £10, 662 acres to Berry Lewis for £66, and 229 acres to Thomas Smith for £23. The second and third parcels were the remains of William’s 1,091-acre land patent after he leased 200 acres to William Branton.

William moved to Halifax County by September 1751 when he got 317 acres on both sides of Buffalo Creek. He added 274 acres on a branch of Polecat Creek in August 1756. On 26 Sep 1764 he received a patent for 1041 acres in Halifax Co adjacent lands of Terry, Cannon, Holden, etc. Halifax County taxed Echols on 1,643 acres in 1755 which is close to the total of the above three patents.

On 17 June 1758 South River Monthly Meeting “received by request” William Echols Sr. and his son William. The same day daughter Ruth (Echols) Hendrick and her husband, Moses Hendrick, “request membership through Halifax Monthly Meeting” into South River Monthly Meeting. Daughter Judith was received into the Meeting on 15 Sep 1759 and her marriage to Richard Kirby reported on 19 Jan 1760. Son William Jr apparently went to the Banister Meeting where he was reported as marrying contrary to discipline in 1770, but he was still under the care of South River and listed as in good standing, but still present at Banister in Halifax Co. Son John was actually the first of the family to join the South River MM as he was received 17 Dec 1757 - I have listed more about John under his own notes.

On 15 January 1765 William and Sarah sold 214 acres, excepting 4 acres “for the use of a Meeting House.”
William died in April 1771, as recorded in the Quaker records. He left a will in Halifax County (will dated 8 April 1771, recorded 16 May 1771). Sarah died in February 1778.

The writings of Milner Echols, 1850, state that one of "Old William's daughters married Vardre McBee who moved from Virginia to South Carolina before the Revolutionary and was a Captain. He mentioned Vardre had two sons, Silas and Vardre. Silas went to Mississippi and died there. Vardre was still living in Greenville District, SC in 1850.


Halifax Co VA Will Book 0 [Zero]; p.310
8 Apr 1771 Will of William Echols
Wife, Sarah, land I live on together with corn mill; at her decease to be divided equally among my children now living and Abner & Sarah Echols grandchildren, coequal with children.
Grandson Joseph Kerbey, son of daughter Judith, deceased, to have the land and mill
Executors: John Echols & William Echols, sons, and Moses Hendrick, son-in-law.
Signed: Wm Echols
Wit: George Brown, George Combs, Minor Winn.
16 May 1771 Probate.

http://www.bonanzajellydog.com/gene/wills/wecholswill.html
The Will of William Echols
dated 8 April 1771
I lend to Sarah Echols my wife my land I now live on together with my corn mill thereon with all my moveable estate, debts due by account, also Robert my Mulatto slave during her life.
At her decease estate to be equally divided among all my children that's now living & Abner Echols & Sarah Echols my grandchildren co equal with my children that's now living.
I give the same land mill & all other apurtenances thereunto belonging to my grandson Joseph Kerbey son of my daughter Judith deceased & to his heirs.
To Abner Echols my grandson a certain tract lying in Pittsyvania County whereon Richard Brown now lives containing 400 acres.
To Sarah Echols my granddaughter one certain tract of land in Halifax County on N.S. Banister River purchased of Robert Wood.
Executors: John & William Echols my sons & Moses Hendrick my son in law.
William Echols
Witnesses: George Brown, George Combs, Minor Winn
Will Probated: 16 May 1771. Presented by Executors & Proved by Witnesses. Security: George Combs & Ezekiel Slaughter

William & Sarah had a son who died before 1771 leaving two children. Abner Echols, who inherited 400 acres in Pittsylvania County from his grandfather Echols, was granted 337 acres in Henry County in 1780. Sarah Echols inherited land in Halifax County on the Banister River from her grandfather Echols.

A daughter Echols married William Wynne and they moved to Tennessee

Birth	1702
Death	Bef 16 May 1771	Halifax County, Virginia
Marriage		Sarah Turner

Spouse	Sarah Turner ( - )
Child	John Echols (1721 - 1795)
Child	Hannah Echols (1740 - )
Child	Ruth Echols (1735 - 1813)
Child	William Echols ( - 1794)
Child	Judith Echols ( - 1765)
Child	Ann Echols ( - )
Child	Daughter Echols ( - )
Child	Elizabeth Echols ( - )

Father	John Echols (1650 - 1712)
Mother	Mary Cave (1670 - 1712)
Sibling	Ann Echols ( - 1746)
Sibling	Eleanor Echols ( - )
Sibling	Mary Echols (1696 - )
Sibling	John Echols (1698 - 1750)
Sibling	Abraham Echols (1700 - 1749)
Sibling	Joseph Echols (1704 - 1766)
Sibling	Richard Echols (1706 - 1786)