Individual Details

William Rochester

(Abt 1710 - Jul 1767)



There were no children by the first wife - only three by the second wife. At least in the Rochester book - the will of Anne Asbury, mother of the first wife suggests there may have been two sons by Mary - Nicholas and William. The will of second wife Eleanor, names her daughters Ann & Elizabeth and son Jeremiah.

Westmoreland County, Virginia: Orders, 1758-1761, by Pamela S. Pearson, Colonial Roots, 2008
p.4
29 Aug 1758
William Rochester is by the Court appointed guardian to John Rochester, Ann Rochester, Phillis Rochester, Nathaniel Rochester, & Hester Rochester, infants & orphans of John Rochester, dec'd. William Rochester with Robert Tidwell & Richard Read his securities acknowledged their bond for the same.
Note: this is undoubtedly the mother Esther's brother-in-law. It is believed she had a son William who died young - in any case, he would not have been old enough to take charge of all his siblings.
Another entry at the same Court session:
p.4-5
Upon the motion of William Rochester guardian to the orphans of John Rochester decd & by consent of Thomas Critcher who intermarried with the relict of the said decd, it is ordered that Robert Middleton, Benedict Middleton & Gerrard Hutt or any two of them do settle all the accts. of the said decd's estate and also unto the said Critcher in right of his said wife and unto each of the orphans each their proportionable part of the said John Rochesters personal estate and report their proceedings therein to the next Court.
p.18
26 Sep 1758
Upon motion of Will'm Rochester guardian to the orphans of John Rochester it is ordered Benedict Middlton, Robert Middleton & Gerrard Hutt do divide the land of the said dec'd and allot unto Hester Critcher relict of the said John her lawful dower of the land.

His will and Eleanor's wills are recorded in Richmond Co, VA

Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800, by Robert Kirk Headley. On Google books, only partially viewable. (available at Haggard Library, Plano, TX)
p.133; Will Book 6, p.419
William Rochester, will dated 16 Sep 1766, recorded 3 Aug 1767
Wife all land and plantation whereon I now live; children unnamed. Executrix, Wife Elinor; Executors, friends Bradley Garner and John Rochester
Wit: John Demeritt, Richard Yeats, Burgess Longwith
Note: William Rochester married (1) Mary Asbury and (2) Elinor Jones, 1764
p.134 Will Book, p. 6 William Rochester. Inventory ordered 3 Aug 1767.
p.170/p.62 William Garland, Will dated, 23 Nov 1788, probate 7 Dec 1789. Wife Anne. Sons Griffin & William; daughters Mary & Anne. Exec: Wife and son William. Wit: John Rochester, Daniel Morgan, John Rochester, Jr.
p.187; Will Book 9, p.124
Eleanor Rochester, Lun. Parish, Will dated 10 Oct 1791, probate 6 Jan 1800
Land and plantation on which I now live to my two daus. Anne Jones and Elizabeth Jones; son Jeremiah Rochester. Executor: sons Jeremiah Rochester and Charles Jones.
Wit: Benjamin Bramham, Molly Northen, James Woosoncraft, Fanny Reynolds.

Eleanor only named one Rochester child. Some have also attributed Anne and Elizabeth to William Rochester - if so, they had both married Jones males.

Events

BirthAbt 1710Westmoreland County Virginia
MarriageAbt 1751Mary Asbury
Marriage26 Jun 1764Richmond County, Virginia - Eleanor Jones
DeathJul 1767Richmond County, Virginia

Families

SpouseMary Asbury (1723 - 1757)
SpouseEleanor Jones ( - 1799)
ChildJeremiah Rochester (1765 - 1829)
FatherWilliam Rochester (1680 - 1750)
MotherPhyllis Dunkin (1680 - 1716)
SiblingJohn Rochester (1708 - 1754)