Individual Details
Benjamin Greer
(Bet 1725 and 1727 - June 2, 1788)
"Benjamin Greer, son of John and Sarah Greer, moved to Lunenburg County, Virginia and paid poll taxes there in 1750 - 52. Lunenburg County was divided into several counties later. He apparently stayed in Virginia." (GREER FAMILY HISTORY, by Mrs. Ellen A. Fawcett, North Little Rock Arkansas. This was recieved by Frances Gosney Hoover, 5815 Gladstone Blvd, Kansas City, Missouri 64123-1517 in 1981, who in turn sent it to Ralph Terry in 1995. It appears to be a part of a collection of families, as it appears on pages 78 to 82.)
"Benjamin Greer moved from Baltimore County, Maryland into Bedford County, Virginia, where he purchased 90 acres of land on Gill's Creek. He sold the 90 acre tract of land in 1770 to Richard Ballard, Sr. for 105 pounds. John Starkey, Sr., Thomas Preston and Micajah Ballard witnessed this instrument." (This information on the family of Benjamin Greer from Bedford County B. P. # 34, folio 884; Edward Pleasant Valentine Papers, pages 113 -116; research notes of L. L. McNees (deceased) of Ebenezer, Mississippi as per GREER KINSMEN by J. B. Bell.) (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: This is the same instrument as seen under Benjamin Greer, son of this Benjamin Greer's brother, William Greer. It appears to belong to the other Benjamin Greer, as this one left his will in Franklin County, Virginia and the other in Bedford County, Virginia. The list of the children of Benjamin Greer appears to be, more or less, the same children as listed by J. B. Bell in GREER KINSMEN for Benjamin's nephew, Benjamin Greer, son of William Greer. However, it appears that these children belong with this Benjamin, rather than his nephew.)
Benjamin Greer left a will in Franklin County, Virginia. He was married twice and the will mentioned his second wife, Mary; children: James (eldest son), Mary Greer Griffith, Tiny Greer, George and Martin Greer, Rachel Greer Lumsden, Dinah and Sarah Greer and two youngest sons, Henry and Benjamin Greer. The will is dated 28 Dec 1787, probated June 1788 and was filed at Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia. (Franklin County, Virginia Will Book, page 17.)
"IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN" ----- I, Benjamin Greer, Sr. of Franklin County, Virginia being in good health and sound memory do make and order this to be my last will and testament, in manner and following, viz: Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my oldest son,James Greer, five pounds specie and no more to him forever. Item: --- I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter, Mary Griffith, one negro girl, Jean her lifetime and then to her heirs forever with her increase. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my son, George Greer, one negro boy named Cezar and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Tiny Greer, one negro boy named Toney and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Rachel Lumsden, one negro boy named Lewis and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my son, Martin Greer, the first living child of negro wrench, Jude and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Mary Greer, four negroes named, C., Jude, Duff and Frank with all my stock, household furniture and land her lifetime, and their increase. And at my wife's decease my desire is that the land excepted for my two youngest sons only and that to be divided equally between them, namely Henry and Benjamin. Also my desire is that the four negroes named, C., Jude, Duff and Frank with all my stock, household furniture with all their increase, to be equally divided between my four youngest children, namely; Henry, Benjamin, Dinah and Sarah Greer. Lastly --- I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife, Mary Greer, Executrix and my son, ____Greer, Executor of this my last will and testament, revoking and dis-annulling all other will or wills heretofore made by me. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of December Anno domino 1787". Benjamin Greer (his mark)." (Recorded in the County Court Clerk's office Franklin County, Virginia.)
Many records show Benjamin and Joseph Greer to be twins, however, some researchers do not believe that Benjamin and Joseph were twins, but that the dates given in St. John's Parish records are christening dates, not birth dates.
The marriage date of Benjamin Greer and Rachel Low was recorded in St. John's Parish Records, page 193. Some information about the Benjamin Greer family from Carolyn Beal, 916 5th Street #2, Nevada, IA 50201. GREER FAMILY (1979) by William Greer Peck (as per GREERS THAT GOT TO GEORGIA by Julian Greer) shows that Benjamin Greer lived in Davidson County, Tennessee, later moving to Morgan County, Georgia, then to Troupe County, Georgia. (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: The Benjamin Greer shown by Julian Greer must be another Benjamin Greer as this Benjamin did not go to Tennessee or Georgia.)
"Benjamin Greer moved from Baltimore County, Maryland into Bedford County, Virginia, where he purchased 90 acres of land on Gill's Creek. He sold the 90 acre tract of land in 1770 to Richard Ballard, Sr. for 105 pounds. John Starkey, Sr., Thomas Preston and Micajah Ballard witnessed this instrument." (This information on the family of Benjamin Greer from Bedford County B. P. # 34, folio 884; Edward Pleasant Valentine Papers, pages 113 -116; research notes of L. L. McNees (deceased) of Ebenezer, Mississippi as per GREER KINSMEN by J. B. Bell.) (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: This is the same instrument as seen under Benjamin Greer, son of this Benjamin Greer's brother, William Greer. It appears to belong to the other Benjamin Greer, as this one left his will in Franklin County, Virginia and the other in Bedford County, Virginia. The list of the children of Benjamin Greer appears to be, more or less, the same children as listed by J. B. Bell in GREER KINSMEN for Benjamin's nephew, Benjamin Greer, son of William Greer. However, it appears that these children belong with this Benjamin, rather than his nephew.)
Benjamin Greer left a will in Franklin County, Virginia. He was married twice and the will mentioned his second wife, Mary; children: James (eldest son), Mary Greer Griffith, Tiny Greer, George and Martin Greer, Rachel Greer Lumsden, Dinah and Sarah Greer and two youngest sons, Henry and Benjamin Greer. The will is dated 28 Dec 1787, probated June 1788 and was filed at Rocky Mount, Franklin County, Virginia. (Franklin County, Virginia Will Book, page 17.)
"IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN" ----- I, Benjamin Greer, Sr. of Franklin County, Virginia being in good health and sound memory do make and order this to be my last will and testament, in manner and following, viz: Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my oldest son,James Greer, five pounds specie and no more to him forever. Item: --- I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter, Mary Griffith, one negro girl, Jean her lifetime and then to her heirs forever with her increase. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my son, George Greer, one negro boy named Cezar and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Tiny Greer, one negro boy named Toney and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my daughter, Rachel Lumsden, one negro boy named Lewis and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my son, Martin Greer, the first living child of negro wrench, Jude and no more. Item: --- I give and bequeath unto my loving wife, Mary Greer, four negroes named, C., Jude, Duff and Frank with all my stock, household furniture and land her lifetime, and their increase. And at my wife's decease my desire is that the land excepted for my two youngest sons only and that to be divided equally between them, namely Henry and Benjamin. Also my desire is that the four negroes named, C., Jude, Duff and Frank with all my stock, household furniture with all their increase, to be equally divided between my four youngest children, namely; Henry, Benjamin, Dinah and Sarah Greer. Lastly --- I constitute and appoint my well beloved wife, Mary Greer, Executrix and my son, ____Greer, Executor of this my last will and testament, revoking and dis-annulling all other will or wills heretofore made by me. IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 28th day of December Anno domino 1787". Benjamin Greer (his mark)." (Recorded in the County Court Clerk's office Franklin County, Virginia.)
Many records show Benjamin and Joseph Greer to be twins, however, some researchers do not believe that Benjamin and Joseph were twins, but that the dates given in St. John's Parish records are christening dates, not birth dates.
The marriage date of Benjamin Greer and Rachel Low was recorded in St. John's Parish Records, page 193. Some information about the Benjamin Greer family from Carolyn Beal, 916 5th Street #2, Nevada, IA 50201. GREER FAMILY (1979) by William Greer Peck (as per GREERS THAT GOT TO GEORGIA by Julian Greer) shows that Benjamin Greer lived in Davidson County, Tennessee, later moving to Morgan County, Georgia, then to Troupe County, Georgia. (NOTE FROM RALPH TERRY: The Benjamin Greer shown by Julian Greer must be another Benjamin Greer as this Benjamin did not go to Tennessee or Georgia.)
Events
| Birth | Bet 1725 and 1727 | Gunpowder River, Baltimore County, Maryland | |||
| Christen | January 6, 1727/28 | St. John's Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland | |||
| Marriage | January 2, 1745 | St. John's Parish, Baltimore County, Maryland - Rachel Lowe | |||
| Marriage | Abt, 1770 | Mary Haynes | |||
| Death | June 2, 1788 | Franklin County, Virginia |
Families
| Spouse | Rachel Lowe (1727 - 1769) |
| Child | James D. Greer (1747 - 1816) |
| Child | Mary "Martha" Greer ( - ) |
| Child | Tiny Greer ( - ) |
| Child | George Greer (1754 - 1789) |
| Child | Martin Greer (1756 - 1822) |
| Child | Rachel Greer (1773 - 1808) |
| Spouse | Mary Haynes (1739 - 1822) |
| Child | Henry Greer (1771 - 1833) |
| Child | Benjamin Greer Jr. (1771 - 1815) |
| Child | Dinah Greer (1774 - ) |
| Child | Sarah Davis Greer (1784 - 1844) |
| Father | John Greer (1682 - 1750) |
| Mother | Sarah Day (1686 - 1758) |
| Sibling | James Greer (1709 - 1742) |
| Sibling | William Greer Sr. (1710 - 1785) |
| Sibling | Moses Greer (1712 - 1777) |
| Sibling | John Greer Jr. (1714 - 1782) |
| Sibling | Aquilla Greer (1716 - 1790) |
| Sibling | Sarah Greer (1720 - 1721) |
| Sibling | Ann Greer (1720 - ) |
| Sibling | Joseph Greer (1723 - 1781) |