Although there is no birth record for William Lynch, son of John Lynch, it is likely that he was born around 1715 in Bertie County, North Carolina. Not much is known about his life, except that he married Rachel Steed sometime before 1733. She was the daughter of Francis Steed, who was a neighbor of John Lynch in Brunswick County, Virginia. William shows up first when he serves as proxy to his father on a land deed in 1749. William Lynch Sr. died October 4, 1762 in Brunswick County, Virginia.
His son William Lynch, Jr. was believed to have been born in 1752. It is not believed that William Lynch Sr. and Rachel Steed ever had any other children. As was common in colonial times, William never learned to read or write. During the days of the American Revolution, William Lynch would marry and build a dynasty of Lynches! There is a list of men who served in the Revolutionary War on the wall of the Brunswick County Courthouse, and included is the name of William Lynch. We also find him on the list of "Revolutionary Patriots of Brunswick County, Virginia" that is framed and hangs on the wall of the Register of Deeds Office in Lawrenceville, Virginia. By an act of the Virginia Assembly that was passed on February 9, 1827, William Lynch was excused from paying taxes because he was a "useful and upright citizen".
Perhaps the most astonishing thing about William Lynch Jr. is that he was married 4 times, and father 34 legitimate children. His first wife was Eliza Grief. His second wife's name is not known. His third wife was Nancy Wright. His fourth wife was named Elizabeth, though her surname is not known. Precise birth and death dates are not known for all of his children.
1.)Anselm Lynch
2.)Edgar Lynch
3.) George Lynch
4.) Jones Lynch
5.) Rachel Steed Lynch
6.) Smith Lynch
7.) William Lynch
8.) Adin Lynch
9.) Faith Coleman Lynch
10.) Sion Lynch
11.) Syrach Lynch
12.)Lewis Lynch
13.)Laxton Lynch
14.)Nancy Clack Lynch
15.)Jarratt Lynch
16.) Grief Lynch
17.)Mary Harmon Lynch
18.) Lemuel Lynch
19.) Asbury Lynch
20.) Aggie Barefoot lynch
21.)Thintchum Lynch
22.)Warren G. Lynch
23.) Joseph A. Lynch
24.) Andrew W. Lynch
25.)John Lynch
26.)Edlow Lynch
27.)James H. Lynch
28.) Viney Lynch
29.)Meredith Lynch
30.) Chancey Lynch
31.)Gilbert Lynch
32.) Gray Lynch
33.) Clack Lynch
It is not known if all of his children survived infancy, but infant mortality rates at the time were extremely high.
William Lynch Jr.'s will is dated January 1, 1833 and it is believed he died in 1737.
His son William Lynch, Jr. was believed to have been born in 1752. It is not believed that William Lynch Sr. and Rachel Steed ever had any other children. As was common in colonial times, William never learned to read or write. During the days of the American Revolution, William Lynch would marry and build a dynasty of Lynches! There is a list of men who served in the Revolutionary War on the wall of the Brunswick County Courthouse, and included is the name of William Lynch. We also find him on the list of "Revolutionary Patriots of Brunswick County, Virginia" that is framed and hangs on the wall of the Register of Deeds Office in Lawrenceville, Virginia. By an act of the Virginia Assembly that was passed on February 9, 1827, William Lynch was excused from paying taxes because he was a "useful and upright citizen".
Perhaps the most astonishing thing about William Lynch Jr. is that he was married 4 times, and father 34 legitimate children. His first wife was Eliza Grief. His second wife's name is not known. His third wife was Nancy Wright. His fourth wife was named Elizabeth, though her surname is not known. Precise birth and death dates are not known for all of his children.
1.)Anselm Lynch
2.)Edgar Lynch
3.) George Lynch
4.) Jones Lynch
5.) Rachel Steed Lynch
6.) Smith Lynch
7.) William Lynch
8.) Adin Lynch
9.) Faith Coleman Lynch
10.) Sion Lynch
11.) Syrach Lynch
12.)Lewis Lynch
13.)Laxton Lynch
14.)Nancy Clack Lynch
15.)Jarratt Lynch
16.) Grief Lynch
17.)Mary Harmon Lynch
18.) Lemuel Lynch
19.) Asbury Lynch
20.) Aggie Barefoot lynch
21.)Thintchum Lynch
22.)Warren G. Lynch
23.) Joseph A. Lynch
24.) Andrew W. Lynch
25.)John Lynch
26.)Edlow Lynch
27.)James H. Lynch
28.) Viney Lynch
29.)Meredith Lynch
30.) Chancey Lynch
31.)Gilbert Lynch
32.) Gray Lynch
33.) Clack Lynch
It is not known if all of his children survived infancy, but infant mortality rates at the time were extremely high.
William Lynch Jr.'s will is dated January 1, 1833 and it is believed he died in 1737.
I'm very confused as to how all of these children could be his legitimate children. The years of birth of the children of different wives overlap. Either he was a polygamist, or there was more than one William Lynch in the area at the time (seems likely). I'm very interested because he's also one of my ancestors.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy , if you will locate the Virginia Assembly tax relief act of 1830 pertaining to William Lynch you can see all of the children were his . My Grandfather , Dixon Fleetwood Lynch had 22 children and it only took 2 wives .
ReplyDeleteI have a copy of his will this is correct. The relief act specifically states that he was left old and infirm after his service in the war of the revolution and raising 34 legitimate children.
ReplyDeleteKevin, how can I get a copy of that will? I am a descendant of Laxton Thanks-Dawn
Deletemadha2pc@yahoo.com
Would you still have this will? I'm a direct decendent of William Lynch. My last name is Lynch and I am a son of an only son which my father was an only son .
DeleteGoogle WILLIAM LYNCH WILL, BRUNSWICK COUNTY, VIRGINIA. The GENI info includes his Will - scroll through other good info above it.
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