Household 28 - Elijah Vessel's heirs - Contributed by Gail M. Walczyk
Elijah Vessel's heirs
Elijah Wessells was son of James and Elizabeth Wessells, was born circa 1721. Elijah died before 24 Febuary 1794 (Nottingham
Wills: 462).
He married Sophia Clark before 26 April 1768 in Accomack Co., VA. Sophia was born circa 1737. Sophia was the daughter of George and Elizabeth Clark. (Nottingham
Wills: 240). She married a Mr. West circa 1748. Sophia died before 28 October 1799 (Nottingham
Wills: 461).
In his father, James Wessells written on 7 April 1751 in Accomack Co., VA, Elijah was named as an heir. It was probated 25 June 1754 (Nottingham
Wills: 181). An abstract of his will reads:
VESSELS, JAMES, Sr. living on Fisher's Island - 7 Apr. 1751 - 25 June 1754 - To son Ephraim Vessels 1 s. To son Shadrack 1 s. To son Elijah 1 s. To son James plantation & land where he now lives being 50 acres Bal. of estate to wife Elizabeth during her widow & then to my 3 daughters as my wife sees fit, viz: Keturah, Betty & Rebecca Vessels - To daughter Hannah 1s. Wife & son James Exrs. Not witnessed - Proved by James Vessels,"
Elijah made a will on 25 September 1781 in Accomack Co., VA. It was probated Proved 24 Febuary 1794 (Nottingham
Wills: 462). An abstract of his will reads:
VESSELS, ELIJAH - 25 Sept. 1781 - Proved 24 Feb. 1794 - Prob. 28 Oct. 1799 - To wife Sophia Vessels whole estate during her widow, & should she die before the child she now goes with comes to lawful age my plantation on the Bayside to be rented out yearly for the maintenance of the said child, & should the aforesaid child be a boy he to have the said plantation To son Elijah the land where I now live at the death of my wife. Bal. of estate to be divided between my daughters Witt: Thomas Watson, Jacob Taylor, George Middleton. Wife Exec."
On 30 December 1795 in Accomack Co., VA, the boundaries of the lands the heirs of Elijah Wessells were processioned. Parker Barnes, John Parker and George Bundick (Walczyk
Processioners: 21). The procession in part reads:
Decr 30 1795 . . . Lines between Levi Dix' heirs & Elijah Vessel's heirs.
On 30 September 1800 in Accomack Co., VA Elijah's Estate was settled on 30 September 1800. Named in the settlement are Elijah Wessells, Elizabeth Wessells and Louisa Wessells (Miles
Wills: 580.). The text reads:
John A Bundick admr of Sophia Wessells. Named in settlement: the Estate of Elizabeth Wessells decd to John A. Bundick admr of Sophiah Wessells. Cash paid to Thomas Cropper, guardian to Elijah Wessells & to Charles Copes in right of his wife Louisa. The amount of the Estate of Elijah Wessells found 12 November [no year] by John A. Bundick, the admr of Sophiah Wessells at her decd Auditors Southey Satchell & John Moore."
Elijah Wessells and Sophia Clark had the following children:
1 i. Elizabeth Wessells was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1770. Elizabeth died before 1800. Elijah's Estate was settled on 30 September 1800. Named in the settlement are Elijah Wessells, Sophia Wessells, Elizabeth Wessells, and Louisa Wessells (Miles
Wills: 80).
2 ii. Elijah Wessells was born circa 1772. He married Isabella Lilliston circa 1794 in Accomack Co., VA. Isabella was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1786. A court case in 1805 states: "Isabella Vessels and Elijah Vessels the said Isabella being also a child of the said Jacob & Susanna Lilliston." Isabella was the daughter of Jacob Lilliston and Susanna his wife. (Miles
Wills: 334). Circa 1796 Isabella and Elijah Wessells had Sukey Anne Wessells in Accomack Co., VA. Circa 1799 Isabella and Elijah Wessells had Eliza Anne Wessells in Accomack Co., VA. His father Elijah's estate was settled on 30 September 1800. Named in the settlement were Elijah Wessells, Sophia Wessells, Elizabeth Wessells and Louisa Wessells (Miles
Wills: 580).
Elijah Vessells was listed as a head of household in the 1810 The census reads: 1 male 10-16 1 male 26-45. 2 females 16-26, 3 females under 10, 1 slave. (Powell Census 1800, 1810, 1820: 95).
Elijah made a will on 6 October 1808 in Accomack Co., VA. It was probated 28 November 1810 (Miles
Wills: 580). His will reads:
Friend Thomas Cropper Extr. To daughter Sukey Anne Wessells the whole of my lands as well as those whereon I reside & a small piece lying in the wood containing 7 acres joining the lands of James Watson, Thomas Hickman & George Middleton. If daughter Sukey Anne dies before age 21 without issue, then to daughter Eliza Anne Wessells. To daughter Eliza Anne my Negro boy Jacob & the whole of my other estate. Witt: John Wise, James Watson, & Lucretia Copes. Probate: John Cropper Jr. security.
3 iii. Louisa Wessells was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1774. She married Charles Copes circa 1799 in Accomack Co., VA. Charles was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1767. On 30 September 1800 in Accomack Co., VA, Elijah's estate was settled. Named in the settlement are Elijah Wessells, Sophia Wessells, Elizabeth Wessells and Louisa Wessells (Miles
Wills: 580).