The Cochrane & Allied Families

Cochranes from Scotland to Colonial Virginia (c 1760), to Kentucky (1811), to Kansas (1859) and beyond. Allied families to the United States from England, Scotland, Ireland and Switzerland.

MERIWETHER, Col. William Sr.

MERIWETHER, Col. William Sr.

Male Abt 1688 - 1751  (60 years)   Has 64 ancestors and more than 100 descendants in this family tree.


Personal Information    |    Sources    |    Event Map    |    All

  • Name MERIWETHER, William  [1, 2, 3
    Prefix Col. 
    Suffix Sr. 
    Birth Abt 1688  Surry County, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Gender Male 
    Land- 22 Apr 1693  New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this location  [4
    of 400 acres on the Pamunkey River, that was part of his Assasquin Plantation, that he deeded to his grandson, Col. William MERIWETHER, Sr., son of Col. Nicholas MERIWETHER II and Elizabeth CRAWFORD, 
    • The future town of Newcastle was to be built by William MERIWETHER on this property in 1738.
    Land 1 Jul 1734  Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [5
    purchased from Ralph HUNT of St. Paul's Parish 
    Individual Event 1738  Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [4, 6
    On the 400 acres previously deeded to him by his grandfather, Capt. David Crawford, Sr., William set aside 40 acres to create the town of Newcastle 
    • William had previously built a tobacco warehouse on the river below the new town's location. Newcastle, surveyed by Col. John HENRY, father of Patrick HENRY, consisted of half-acre lots, with 6 streets running parallel to the Pamunkey River, and 3 streets sloping down to a Commons fronting along the river. Coordinates: N 37° 40' 00", W 077° 11' 34". The town became extinct circa 1811, and there are no remnents.
    Election 1736-1740  Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [7, 8
    a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses 
    FindaGrave Memorial ID 69888132 
    Will-Heir 12 Dec 1743  Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [9
    • Role: Heir
      He was to receive certain possessions given to other heirs, if those heirs became deceased without heirs of their own.


      "To Granddaughter, Judith Littlepage, 459 acres in King William County, over against my Son William Meriwether's Plantation; also Eleven Negro Slaves now on said land. If she should die without heirs or her heirs should die without heirs, I give and bequeath unto my Son William Meriwether the aforesaid 459 acres of Land; also I do give unto my two Sons William Meriwether and David Meriwether the aforesaid Negro Slaves and their increase, equally to be divided betwen them.

      "To my Grand Daughter, Judith Littlpage, two malatto boys by name Charles and Jamey to be delivered to her at her marriage or when she shall come of age of twentyone years, and her heirs, and (in case of failure of heirs) to my Grand Son John Meriwether and his heirs forever.

      "To my Daughter, Ann Johnson, Land and Plantation whereon she formerly lived on the East side of the branch that parts it and the Land I bought of Edward Hicks, being about 630 acres, during her natural life, at her decease to my Garnd son William Johnson, son to the above Daughter Ann, and to his heirs, and (in case of failure of such heirs) to my son William Meriwether.

      "To my Daughter, Ann Johnson, my Plantation commonly called and known by the name of Roundabout together with Thur Hundred acres of Land, etc.

      "To my Grand Son Nicholas Lewis the son of Mr. Robert Lewis my Plantation and land whereon I now live, Containing by Patent 1020 acres, together with 119 acres, part of a greater Tract bought of Thomas Graves to be laid off in the most Convenient manner and joyning to the Thousand and Twenty aforementioned, etc.

      "To my aforesaid Grand Son Nicholas Lewis one Negro boy about six years of age to be Delivered at the Division of my Slaves hereafter mentioned, also 20 head of neat Cattle and 20 head of Hoggs from the Plantation whereon I now live, and 10 head of Cattle and 10 head of Hoggs from off the Plantation whereon Robert Dalton formerly lived, etc.

      "To my Grand Son Richard Meriwether Son of my Son William Meriwether, 700 acres of Land in Goochland, part of 819 acres bought of Thomas Graves.

      "To Son David Meriwether my ffork Plantation he now lives on together with 400 acres of Land.

      "To Mildred Meriwether, Daughter of Nicholas Meriwether, deceased, one Negro Girl of about her own age, to be delivered to her at the Division of my Slaves.

      "To my Loving Wife Elizabeth Meriwether One hundred Pounds Sterling money of Great Britain together with what new Goods and plate I shall have in my house at my death.

      "To my Son-in-Law Robert Lewis 1500 acrs of Land whereon he now lives, as will appear by a Deed in Hanover Court.

      "I Lend to my Loving Wife Elizabeth Meriwether twelve working Negroes and two Negro Girls, she having her choice, as also all my household goods and 90 head of neat Cattle and 90 head of Hoggs, Young and Old, and all my working horses, with four Choyce breeding mairs during her natural life and at her Deth I do give and bequeath the above mentioned 14 Negroes and their increase to be equally Divided between my Seven Grandsons and three Granddaughters, Viz.: John Meriwether, Thomas Meriwether, and Richard Meriwether, Jane Meriwether, Sarah Meriwether, and Mary Meriwether, Sons and Daughters of William Meriwether, and to Nicholas Meriwether, ffrances Meriwether, James Meriwether, William Meriwether, Sons of David Meriwether, and their heirs forever.

      "To Mary Lewis, Daughter of Mr. Robert Lewis, a Negro Girl of near her own age, &c.

      "Unto Mildred Lewis, Daughter of Mr. Robert Lewis (similar bequest).

      "Unto Robert Lewis, Son of Mr. Robert Lewis, Negro Boy of near his own age.

      "Unto Isabella Lewis, Daughter of Mr. Robert Lewis, Negro Girl . . .

      "Unto Nicholas Meriwether, Son of my Grandson Thomas Meriwether, a Negro boy about his age.

      "Item [This paragraph is crossed out]: I do give and bequeath unto my Gr. Daughter Elizabeth Bray, two Negro Boys, by name, Tom son of old Tom that I bought of James Blackwell, and Tom son to Tom and Doll his wife, to be delivered to her at her marriage or when she shall come to full age, and if she should die before marriage or before she shall come to Twenty-one years of age that said two Negro boys to my Grand Son Nicholas Lewis . . .

      "October, 1743 - I have delivered these two to Mr. Philip Johnson, her husband.

      "Item - Unto John Meriwether, Son to my Son William Meriwether, 2000 acres of Land that is Laid of_ next his Brother Nicholas Meriwether deceased, Including where his Quarter is built.

      "Item - Unto my Grandson ffrances Meriwether, Son to my Son David Meriwether, all that Land that lies between Mr. Robert Lewis's line and Nicholas Meriwether deceas'd line, being about 1600 acres more or less.

      "Item - Unto my Grandson James Meriwether, Son to my Son David Meriwether, 1150 acres on Beaverdams, where old Toby lives . . .

      "To my Grandson William Meriwether, Son to my Son David Meriwether, 1270 acres that lies between Mr. Robert Lewis's line and Capt. Tho. Meriwether's line, being the place where old Jack lived, etc.

      "Item - To my Grandson, Thomas Meriwether, Son to my Son William Meriwether, after my Wife's Death, all the land that I have below Nicholas Meriwether's line of my first Mountain survey to Mr. Robert Lewis's line that he bought of Capt. Christopher Clark, to him and his heirs forever.

      "To my Grandson, William Meriwether, son to my Son David Meriwether, 450 acres that his ffather had a Quarter on.

      "Item - To my Grandson Richard Meriwether, Son to my Son William Meriwether, my quarter and Land where Negro Jemy lives, that I bought of Edward Hix, with some more Land added to it in all about 300 acres -

      "Item - To Catharine Holladay, Daughter of Capt. William Holladay, who now lives with Mr. Bick ----- (mutilated), of King William County, 26 shillings Current money, to be delivered to her when she arrives at the age of twenty-one years or marries.

      "Item - To Jane Lewis, daughter of Mr. Robert Lewis, Twenty-five Pounds Sterling Money of Great Britain.

      "Item - Unto my Seven Grans Sons and three Grand Daughters, Viz.: John Meriwether, Thomas Meriwether, Richard Meriwether, Jane Meriwether, Sarah Meriwether and Mary Meriwether, Sons and Daughters of my Son William Meriwether, and ffrances Meriwether, James Meriwether and William Meriwether, Sons of my Son David Meriwether, all of my Negro slaves that I have not yet disposed of Equally to be divided between them and their heirs forever. Also I give and bequeath unto my Ten Grand Children (above named) all my Stocks of Hoggs & Cattle, Horses and Mairs, not yet disposed of, to be Equally divided between them . . . Slaves to be laid off into two equal Lotts to be divided amoung the said Ten Grandchildren when the first comes to lawful age, &c. At the Death of my Wife my aforesaid two Sons and my Son-in-law, Mr. Robert Lewis, to divid Negroes, Stock, and household goods left at her Death, the said ten Grandchildren to draw equal Lotts as aforesaid &c. Slaves already delivered to certain Grandsons to be reckoned in the final division.

      "To Grand Son, John Meriwether, son of my Son William Meiwether, two other Negroes now in his possession, these also to be reckoned in the final settlement.

      "Item - To Son-in-Law Mr. Robert Lewis, ffifty Pounds Sterling Money of Great Britain.

      "Item - Estate not to be brought to an appraisement. Wife Elizabeth Meriwether, and Son-in-Law Mr. Robert Lewis, Exx. and Excr.

      "Dated 12th Day, December, 1743. Nicholas Meriwether (Seal)
      Wit.: Pet. Jefferson, Samuel Dalton, George Taylor, Chas. Lynch

      "Recorded at a Court held for Goochland Co., Nov. 26, 1744. Hon. Wood, Clk."
    Occupation Planter  [2
    Death Between 29 Aug 1748 and 30 Sep 1751  Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2
    Age 60 years 
    Burial Y  [10
    Person ID I212  Cochrane Genealogy
    Last Modified 17 May 2025 

    Father MERIWETHER, Col. Nicholas Jr.,   b. 26 Oct 1665, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 20 Nov 1744, Goochland County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 79 years) 
    Mother CRAWFORD, Elizabeth,   b. Abt 1667, Assasquin Plantation, James City County, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 11 May 1762, Louisa County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 95 years) 
    Family ID F92  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

    Family BUSHROD, Elizabeth,   b. Abt 1690, Westmoreland County, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Marriage Abt 1710  New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location  [1, 2, 11
    Age at Marriage He : ~ 22 years - She : ~ 20 years. 
    Children 
    +  1. Male MERIWETHER, Nicholas "The Younger",   b. Abt 1714, Colony of Virginia, England Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 12 May 1739, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 25 years)
    >  2. Male MERIWETHER, John,   b. Abt 1716, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 1791, Henrico County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 75 years)
    +  3. Male MERIWETHER, Capt. Thomas Sr.,   b. Abt 1718, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 29 Aug 1794, Columbia County, Georgia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 76 years)
       4. Male MERIWETHER, Richard,   b. Abt 1719, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Bef 14 Oct 1766, Ardee, Louth, Leinster, Ireland Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 47 years)
       5. Male MERIWETHER, William Jr.,   b. 13 Sep 1720, New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. 13 May 1740, New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 19 years)
       6. Female MERIWETHER, Jane,   b. 1721, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Aft 1742 (Age 22 years)
    +  7. Female MERIWETHER, Sarah,   b. 1724, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Feb 1780, Hanover County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 56 years)
    +  8. Female MERIWETHER, Mary Elizabeth,   b. Abt 1726, Goochland, Goochland, Colony of Virginia, UK Find all individuals with events at this locationd. Sep 1808, Mecklenburg County, Virginia, USA Find all individuals with events at this location (Age 82 years)
    Family ID F91  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
    Last Modified 29 Jun 2021 

  • Event Map
    Link to Google MapsBirth - Abt 1688 - Surry County, Colony of Virginia, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand- - of 400 acres on the Pamunkey River, that was part of his Assasquin Plantation, that he deeded to his grandson, Col. William MERIWETHER, Sr., son of Col. Nicholas MERIWETHER II and Elizabeth CRAWFORD, - 22 Apr 1693 - New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, England Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsMarriage - Abt 1710 - New Kent County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsLand - purchased from Ralph HUNT of St. Paul's Parish - 1 Jul 1734 - Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsIndividual Event - On the 400 acres previously deeded to him by his grandfather, Capt. David Crawford, Sr., William set aside 40 acres to create the town of Newcastle - 1738 - Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsElection - a Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses - 1736-1740 - Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsWill-Heir - 12 Dec 1743 - Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
    Link to Google MapsDeath - Between 29 Aug 1748 and 30 Sep 1751 - Hanover County, Colony of Virginia, UK Link to Google Earth
     = Link to Google Earth 

  • Sources 
    1. [S1195] Maurice Wesley Kendall and Guy Meriwether Benson, Book - Meriwether Family In America, (Baltimore, Maryland: For The Meriwether Society by Otter Bay Books, 2015.), 29 Jun 2021, p 233-234.

    2. [S635] The Meriwether Society, Inc., Society - Meriwether, ((http://homepages.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~meriweth/ : 2015)), 10 Jul 2015, accessed 10 July 2015), ID #: I109, William Meriwether; Various Meriwether Society sources.

    3. [S607] Alexander Brown, Book - Cabells and Their Kin (Internet Archives), (Cambridge, MA: The Riverside Press, 1895.), 1 Mar 2015, p 189.

    4. [S651] William Waller Hening, Book - Statutes at Large: Laws of VA, Vol V (Internet Archives), (Richmond, Virginia: The Franklin Press, 1819.), 14 Aug 2015, Chapter XXIV: p 257-9.
      Book - Statutes at Large - Vol V - p 257-9
      Book - Statutes at Large - Vol V - p 257-9


    5. [S1164] Magazine - William and Mary College Quarterly - Series 1 & 2 (JSTOR), 28 Mar 2020, S. O. Southall, "Records of Hanover County," (Series 1) July 1912, Vol. 21, No. 1, p 54; digital images, JSTOR.com (https://www.jstor.org/stable/1922081?seq=1#metadata_info_tab_contents : accessed 28 March 2020).
      William & Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXI, No. 1
      William & Mary Quarterly, Vol. XXI, No. 1


    6. [S1447] Commenwealth of Virginia, Internet - VA Landmarks & National Register, (Virginia Department of Historic Resources. https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/ : 2021.), 11 Jul 2021, (https://www.dhr.virginia.gov/historic-registers/ : accessed 11 July 2021); Hanover County, Newcastle Town Archaeological Site, 042-0101.
      VA Historic Places - Newcastle, VA
      VA Historic Places - Newcastle, VA


    7. [S491] Magazine - VA Magazine of History & Biography (JSTOR), 27 Jun 2020, "Members Of The House Of Burgesses," January 1901, Vol. 8, No. 3, p 245-260; digital images, JSTOR (https://www.jstor.org : accessed 27 June 2020).
      Mmbers of the VA House of Burgesses
      Mmbers of the VA House of Burgesses


    8. [S495] John H. Gwathmey, Book - Twelve Virginia Counties, (1937; reprint, Baltimore, Maryland: Genealogy Publishing Company, 2006.), 7 Aug 2013, Hanover County: 93.

    9. [S657] Eugenia G. and Preston G. Glazebrook, Book - Virginia Migrations Hanover Co., Vol. II, (1949; reprint, Baltimore, MD: Genealogy Publishing Company, 2000.), 15 Aug 2015, Will of Nicholas Meriwether, Gent.: p 68-70.

    10. [S141] Cemetery Records - Find A Grave, (http://www.findagrave.com: n.d.), 10 Jul 2015, accessed 10 July 2015<, Memorial #69888132, Col. Nicholas Meriwether II.

    11. [S159] Miriam Margaret (Cochrane) Hunter, Book - Four John Symes of VA, (Coshocton, OH: School Annual Publishing Co., 1986.), 19 Dec 2010, p. 35.


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