Pierce Mothershead Family Ties

Traces of MOTTERSHED/MOTHERSHEADs in Virginia
1731 - 1799

Please note: In the information below, I've listed in chronological order records pertaining to any MOTTERSHED/MOTHERSHEAD and other spellings, and some allied families. We will add more records as we find them; we are still adding source information to this.


1731 - Will of Ann BAYLY, Washington Parish, Westmoreland Co VA; granddau. Ann QUISENBERRY; great-grandson Banam BURCH (son of Ann Quisenberry); granddau. Elizabeth COX; great-grandson Bayly Washington; granddau. Mary Washington; Ann Burch (sister to said Banam Burch); Henry Washington (husband of granddau. Mary). Executors - Mary and Henry Washington. Witness: Siprian Woodman, Sarah Bryan. [source: Virignia County Court Records  Deed and Will Abstracts of Westmoreland County, Virginia  1732-1734  -This book is part of Westmoreland County Deed & Will Book 1723-1738- , by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1995]

1733 - Will of Humphrey Pope, Westmoreland Co VA; dau Ann CONDETT; dau Sophia MUSE; sons Humphrey and John; dau Sarah POPE; Wife's dau Elizabeth MORRIS; wife Mary; Cousin Daniel McCARTY. Wife, cousin McCARTY and Peter JETT executors. Witness: Benjamin WADDEY, Humphrey POPE III [source: Virignia County Court Records  Deed and Will Abstracts of Westmoreland County, Virginia  1734-1736  -This book is part of Westmoreland County Deed & Will Book 1723-1738- , by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press; 1995]

1734 - George MOTHERSHEAD committed to goal pending trial in Williamsburg VA accused of murder of James HINSON. Witnesses called to Williamsburg: William CLAYTOR, Thomas KNIGHT, William JETT, William REMEY and George FISHPOOL. [source: King George County Virginia  Will Book A-I 1721-1752 and Miscellaneous Notes, by George Harrison Sanford King]

1734 - Will of Alvin MOTHERSHEAD, Lunenberg Parish, Richmond Co VA; godson George MORTON; George MORTON's brothers, Jeremiah MORTON; John MORTON, Elijah MORTON, sisters Sarah Morton, Anne, Elizabeth and Jane; all sons and daughters of William Morton; brother John MOTHERSHEAD and William Morton executors;Witnesses William JORDAN, Arjalon PRICE and Matthew KNIGHT. [source: Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800, by Robert K. Headley, Jr.] 

1738 - Thomas KNIGHT sues claiming "he served Alvin MOTHERSHED in his lifetime ten years, for which he never yet received any freedom dues. He prays that William MORTON and John MOTHERSHED, executors of Alvin, may be ordered to pay." [source: Orange County, Virginia,  Deed Books 3 & 4 1738-1741, Judgments 1736, by John Frederick Dorman; 1966]

1739 - Will of Margarett Jett (her husband Peter JETT preceded her in death by several years) is witnessed by Christopher MOTHERSHEAD and his wife, Mary; Daniel McCARTY was the executor of her Will; in Westmoreland Co VA (Parish of Washington). Will mentions her granddaughters, Elizabeth and Margaret MORRISS [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deed and Will Abstracts 1736-1740, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1740 - Garrett ONEAL and his wife Sarah (no county mentioned) Lease 50 acres in Westmoreland Co VA to James Field. Witnessed by Jno. MOTHERSHEAD, John BARTLETT; Garrett ONEAL (no wife), of Orange Co VA, Leases 50 acres to John MOTHERSHEAD, of Westmoreland Co VA. Witnessed James FIELD, John BARTLETT; Garrett ONEAL(no wife), of Orange Co VA, sells the same 50 acres to Jno. MOTHERSHEAD, of Westmoreland Co VA. Witnessed James FIELD, John BARTLETT and Anthony CONNOLE (sic) [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia Deed and Will Abstracts of Westmoreland County 1740-1742, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1740 - Will of John MOTHERSHEAD of Westmoreland Co VA. Lists heirs: wife, Ann; daughter, Ann QUESENBURY; daughter, Elizabeth MOTHERSHEAD; son, Charles MOTHERSHEAD; son, William; son, John; daughter, Sarah; daughter, Mary. Executors his son William and John CLAYTON. Witnessed Benjamin DODD, Humphrey POPE [source: Deed and Will Abstracts of Westmoreland County, Virginia  1740-1742, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1743 - Christopher MOTHERSHEAD and John CLAYTON purchased approximately 30 acres from John POWNALL and his wife Elizabeth in Westmoreland Co, Washington Parish, VA. Witness, Humphrey POPE [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds and Wills, 1744-1748, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1744 - Will of Mary BACHELDER, Richmond Co VA; "granddaughter Sarah DAVIS (dau of Mary MINOR)"; daughter Anne MORTON; executors: brothers William QUISSENBERRY, William HEART. Wit: Edmund BULGER, Thomas JAMES and James GLOVER [source: Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800, by Robert K. Headley, Jr.]

1745 - Will of Christopher MOTHERSHEAD, of Washington Parish, Westmoreland Co VA, lists heirs: wife, Eleanor; one as yet unborn child of Eleanor's; son, Christopher MOTHERSHEAD; daughter, Sarah POPE wife of John POPE; sister Anne CLAYTOR; John CLAYTOR (no relationship mentioned); friend Alvin CLAYTOR (son of Thomas CLAYTOR the Elder); Wife Eleanor MOTHERSHEAD and friend Alvin CLAYTOR are executors; witnessed Nathaniel MOTHERSHEAD; Thomas CLAYTOR; Thomas T. CLAYTOR (Assumption: this is possibly Christopher's second wife) [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds and Wills, 1744-1748, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1746 - Will of William MOTHERSHEAD, Washington Parish, Westmoreland Co VA; lists as heirs Charles MOTHERSHEAD; John MOTHERSHEAD; Mary; John; Sarah JAMES, wife of Thomas JAMES. John MOTHERSHEAD and John QUISSENBURY appointed executors. Witness: John POPE [source: Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds and Wills, 1745-1747, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1746 - Receipts "...for right which I have in estate of Alvin MOTHERSHEAD or George MORTON, deceased..." from Henry BOURN, Thomas NEWMAN, Andrew BOURN, Elijah MORTON, Jereh. MORTON. The first three men stated their wives were the daughters of William MORTON, deceased; Orange Co VA [source: Orange County, Virginia  Deeds and Wills, 1743-1778, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1747 - Will of George MOTHERSHEAD, King George Co VA; lists wife Mary; sons John, Alvin, Geroge; daughters Jemima, Anne, Penelope and Mary; Witnesses: John QUISENBURY, Philip PEAD, Chris^r COLLINS [source: King George County, Virginia  Will Book A-I  1721-1752 and Miscellaneous Notes, by George Harrison Sanford King; 1978]

1748 - Will of John MOTHERSHEAD, Westmoreland Co VA; wife Sarah and brother John Quisenberry, executors; daughter Mary MOTHERSHEAD "when reaches 21"; brother Charles MOTHERSHEAD "use of land when 21" [source: Virginia County Court Records, Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds & Wills 1747-1753, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]

1748 - Brookes MOTHERSHEAD and Chris^r COLLINS witness Will of Philip PEAD [source: King George County, Virginia  Will Book A-I  1721-1752 and Miscellaneous Notes, by George Harrison Sanford King; 1978]

*new 1749 - Humprey POPE and his wife Sarah sell ("feoffment") land back to Nathaniel MOTHERSHEAD that Nathaniel had inherited in "feetail" from his deceased father, John MOTHERSHEAD in Westmoreland Co VA; witnesses were John CLAYTOR, Humphry (sic) POPE and Humphry (sic) POPE [source: Virginia County Court Records, Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds & Wills 1747-1753, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]

*new 1749 - Eleanor MOTHERSHEAD, widow of Christopher Mothershead, and Alexander CLAYTOR divide land from Christopher's estate [source: Virginia County Court Records, Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds & Wills 1747-1753, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio]

1750 - John BERKLEY gives his daughter, Sarah MOTHERSHEAD 500 pounds of tobacco [source: King George County, Virginia  Will Book A-I  1721-1752 and Miscellaneous Notes, by George Harrison Sanford King; 1978]

*new 1755 - Eleanor MOTHERSHEAD, widow of Christopher Mothershead, deeds land to Richard DRAKE; witnesses were Thomas JETT, Henry DRAKE and Thomas DRAKE [source: Virginia County Court Records, Westmoreland County, Virginia  Deeds & Wills 1754-1756, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; 1997]

1756 - Will of Charles MOTHERSHEAD, Westmoreland Co VA; "my sister"; cousins Elizabeth and Thomas JAMES; sister Mary WILKERSON; cousin Charles WILKERSON; brother-in-law Thomas JAMES (from abstract only)

1756 - Will of John BOND, Culpepper County VA; wife Mary; son-in-law Benjamin (LONG); daughter Mary LONG; grandson John Bond LONG "sone of Bloomfield LONG and Elizabeth his wife"; grandson Bloomfield LONG "sone of Benjamin LONG and Mary his wife"; Witnesses: G. HUME, Charles HUME, Mary STRINGFELLOW [source: Virginia County Court Records, Will Abstracts of Culpepper County, Virginia 1749-1770, Culpepper County Will Book A, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; 1988]

1757 - Inventory of Estate of Elinor MOTHERSHEAD, King George Co VA; Inventory and Appraisal of Estate of George MOTHERSHEAD; King George Co [source: Virginia County Court Records  Inventory Abstracts of King George County, Virginia  1745-1765, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; The Antient Press]

1761 - Nathaniel MOTHERSHEAD marries Mary MINOR; Orange Co VA [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1762 - Will of William QUISENBERRY, Westmoreland Co VA; daughter Eleanor BAYN (sic); grandsons Nicholas QUISENBERRY, John MOTHERSHEAD and William DODD; son William; daughters Ann and Elizabeth (from abstract only).

1768  -Nathaniel MODESHED and Mary MOTHERSHED, witness the Will of Gerard BANKS, Orange Co VA

1770 - Will of Adam WEAVER, Westmoreland Co VA; wife Annamino; sons John, William, Abraham, Benjamin and Zacharias; daughters Elizabeth BOTT, Mary MOTHERSHEAD and Hannah WEAVER; son-in-laws William WALKER and William JYLES  (Question: Is Mary MOTHERSHEAD a widow since her husband is not mentioned but the other two son-in-laws are? From abstract; have not copied Will yet)

1771 - Will of Gladis JETT mentions "my loving son Peter JETT; son-in-law William PIPER; son Jno. JETT; son Francis JETT; my daughters Mary HARDWIDGE and Elizabeth MOTHERSHEAD; grandson John JETT the son of Peter JETT"; Witness Thomas SPILMAN, William SPILMAN and Trent BARKER; King George Co VA [source: Virginia County Court Records  Will Abstracts of King George County, Virginia 1752-1780, King George County Will Book 1, by Ruth and Sam Sparacio; 1986]

1778 - Will of Bromfill LONG, St Mark's Parish Culpepper Co VA; heirs: wife, Sarah; sons, John, Bromfield, Reuben, Gabriel and Thomas LONG; daughters, Nancy CHISHAM, Betty LONG, and Milly LONG; "My son Benjamin LONG's son, Benjamin LONG. Executors: sons John and Bromfield LONG. Witness: Robert POLLARD, William GAINES, Joseph HITT Note: (son Benjamin is mentioned, but not an heir) [source: Culpepper County Virginia, Will Books B and C, Court Suits, Loose Papers, Inscriptions, by Dorothy Ford Wulfeck; 1965]

1779 - Will of Brumfield LONG, Orange Co VA; heirs: wife, Lucy LONG; "my three children" William LONG, Joseph LONG, Elizabeth LONG. Executors: Joseph CHANDLER, Williams RICHARDS. Witness: Thomas MALLORY; Sarah RICHARDS; Easter CAVE. [

*new 1780 - George MOTHERSHEAD is issued a land warrant for 50 acres in Westmoreland County VA. George served as a soldier in 1759 in the 2nd Virginia Regiment under Col. William BYRD (as proved by the oath of William SANDERS). (Note: After the French and Indian War ended, King George III issued a Royal Proclamation awarding acreage, based on rank, to the soldiers who had served). [source: Virginia State Library microfilm records; Virginia's Colonial Soldiers, by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck; Genealogical Publishing Co., 1988]

1781 - Will of Nathaniel Mothershead, Orange Co VA; lists heirs: daughter, Jane COOK; daughter, Elizabeth MINOR; son, Nathaniel MOTHERSHEAD; daughter, Susanna GRIFFIN; Wife, Mary; "my children": William; Nancy; John; Charles; Polly; Peggy; George; Fanny. Wife Mary, son-in-law Jeremiah MINOR and Patrick COCHRAN named as executors. Witness: Francis BROWN, William BROWN, Tabitha BROWN [source: microfilm Will records of Orange County VA]

1781 - Nathaniel MOTHERSHEAD marries Ruth BIRT; Orange Co VA [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1783 - Daniel MOTHERSHEAD witnesses Will of Daniel MUSE, Richmond Co VA [source: Wills of Richmond County, Virginia, 1699-1800, by Robert K. Headley, Jr.]

1788 - William MOTHERSHEAD marries Lucy LONG in Culpepper Co VA [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990];

1789 - John MOTHERSHEAD marries Sukey BURRUS, Orange Co VA; George DEATLEY marries Sally MOTHERSHEAD, Westmoreland Co VA; Humphrey POPE, sec. [source for both: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1790 - Penny MOTHERSHEAD marries Thomas Annadale, Westmoreland Co VA; David Annadale, sec. [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1790 - Mary MOTHERSHEAD and Clifton HALL on tax list in Fayette Co KY [source: First Census of Kentucky 1790, compiled by Charles B. Heinemann; Kentucky Tax Lists]

1791 - Jeremiah WHITE, Orange Co VA, gives his son, John WHITE, 205 acres in Orange Co VA

1791 - James MOTHERSHEAD born in North Farnham Parish, Richmond County VA "son of John and Milley MOTHERSHEAD" [source: The Registers of North Farnham Parish 1663-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800, Richmond County Virginia, by George Harrison Sanford King; 1966]

1792 - Charles MOTHERSHEAD marries Elizabeth NEALE; Bourbon Co KY [
1792 - Richard MOTHERSHEAD marries Margaret MUSE; Westmoreland Co VA [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1793 - Minor MOTHERSHEAD born in Kentucky [approximated from age given on census records]

1793 - Henry MOTHERSHEAD born in Lunenberg Parish, Richmond County VA "son of Nathaniel and Ann MOTHERSHEAD [source: The Registers of North Farnham Parish 1663-1814 and Lunenburg Parish 1783-1800, Richmond County Virginia, by George Harrison Sanford King; 1966]

1796 - Elizabeth MOTHERSHEAD marries Campbell Teet; Fanny MOTHERSHEAD marries Hudson Purcell; both in Westmoreland Co VA, Fanny's 24 years old [source for all three marriages: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1798 - Caty MOTHERSHEAD marries John MORTON, Westmoreland Co VA, Nathaniel Mothershead, sec. [source: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

1799 - George MOTHERSHEAD marries Susey GREEN, Westmoreland Co VA; James MOTHERSHEAD marries Elizabeth RILEY, Westmoreland Co VA; Elisha MOTHERSHEAD marries John WHITE in Westmoreland Co VA [source for all three marriages: Virginia Marriages Early to 1800, by Jordan R. Dodd; 1990]

Mottershed Traces up to 1652

MottershedTraces 1652-1675

Mothershead Traces 1675-1730

Mothershead Traces 1730-1799

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