HENRY CUSTIS
HOUSEHOLD 27
Henry Custis, son of Revel Custis was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1744. Henry died before 30 January 1797.
He married Polly circa 1775 in Accomack Co., VA. Polly was born circa 1766. Her maiden name is known. On 26 November 1790 Henry bought some items at the Estate Sale of Charles Leatherbury (Will Book 247-254).
Henry was listed on the personal property Tax List for 1787 (Yantis-Schreiner 98). The record reads: "1 male over 16, 4 Blacks over 16, 6 Blacks under 16, 5 cows, 22 cattle B.S." ( NOTE: B.S. = Bayside).
On 26 November 1790 an account of the sales of the Estate of Charles Leatherbury was recorded in Court. Henry Custis purchased many items. The text reads: "2 Pewter Plates Henry Custis (BS)...1 Rawhide Henry Custis ...1 bushel of salt Henry Custis... 1 Sider Cask Henry Custis ... Walnut Plank Henry Custis. "
The Procession of 1795, as it originally reads: "Eleventh District Decr 29th 1795 - Lines between Henry Custis & Solomon Smith. Lines between Henry Custis & John Teackle... Lines between Levi Rodgers & Henry Custis" (Processioners Returns). Henry was not listed as a witness. Whitelaw states: "This land is to the northeast part above the Panhandle which came to Henry Custis by a number of purchases" (810).
Henry made a will on 8 April 1795 in Accomack Co., VA. It was probated 30 January 1797 (Nottingham). An abstract of his will reads:
CUSTIS, HENRY, SR. - 8 Apr. 1795 - 30 Jan. 1797 To son William all the land lying above Doll's Road. To son Henry all the remaining part of the lands which I possess. To daughter Sarah Custis. To wife Polly Custis use of whole estate during her widow, she to bring up my children in a decent & cleaver manner, then to have 1/3. Should my 3 children die without issue Henry Custis, son of Revell Custis, deceased, to have the land I bought of John Savage, also 10 acres lying above Doll's Road, & if the said Henry be found wasting his estate the said land to be sold & the money equally divided between the children of the said Revel Custis, deceased To John Custis, son of my brother William Custis, all the remaining part of my lands. To Robert Russell. Bal. of personal estate to be sold & Elizabeth Leatherbury to have 7£ & the remainder divided between the children of my brother Revel, except Henry, Thomas Poulson & Elizabeth Drummond, daughter William Drummond. Wife Polly Exec. & Revel West & John Revell Exrs. Witt: William Seymour, Charles Taylor.
Polly made a will on 15 December 1800. It was probated 28 July 1801. An abstract of her will reads: "Custis, Polly, (widow of Henry Custis Sr.) Revel West Extr. To son William ... & to son Henry & to each of my sons ... To daughter Sarah Custis ... & all wearing clothes both English and Virginia. Remaining to my daughter Sarah Custis & if she dies without heirs, then to Revel West. To my old Negro woman Tanner ... With Francis Onley & Thomas Custis. Prob: Thomas Parker & Thomas Cropper securities" (Miles 153).
Henry Custis and Polly his wife had the following children: 1 i. William Custis was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1784. 2 ii. Henry Custis was born circa 1786. He married Tabitha West of on 23 September 1813 in Accomack Co., VA. Tabitha was born in Accomack Co., VA circa 1795. Circa 1815 Tabitha and Henry Custis had John Custis in Accomack Co., VA (Turman 75). The record reads: "Henry Custis to Tabitha West of John on 23 September 1813. John West security." On 17 August 1817 Tabitha and Henry Custis Henry had Edward R. Custis in Accomack Co., VA (Graven Stones). Circa 1820 Tabitha and Henry Custis had Thomas W. Custis in Accomack Co., VA.In Henry Custis' will on 8 April 1795 in Accomack Co., VA, Henry was named as an heir. It was probated 30 January 1797 (Nottingham).
3 iii. Sarah Custis was born in Accomack Co., VA, circa 1788. In Henry Custis' will on 8 April 1795 in Accomack Co., VA, Sarah was named as an heir. It was probated 30 January 1797 (Nottingham).
Sources:
_____. Accomack County Will Book 1788-1794.
Mihalyka, Jean and Faye Downing Wilson. Graven Stones. Inscriptions from Lower Accomack County, Virginia, including Liberty and Parksley Cemeteries. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1966.
Miles, Barry W., & Moody K. Miles III. Wills and Administrations of Accomack Co., VA
1800-1860. Bowie MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 2000.
Nottingham, Stratton. Wills and Administrations of Accomack County, Virginia
1663-1800. Bowie MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1990.
Turman, Nora Miller. Marriage Records of Accomack County, Virginia 1776-1854, Recorded in Bonds, Licenses and Ministers'
Returns. Bowie, MD: Heritage Books, Inc., 1994.
Walczyk, Gail M. Accomack County Processioners Returns 1796 - 1816 for Accomack and St. George's
Parishes. Coram NY: Peter's Row, 2004.
Whitelaw, Ralph T. Virginia's Eastern Shore A History of Northampton and Accomack
Counties. Volume Two. Gloucester MA: Peter Smith.
Yantis-Schreiner, Netti & Florence Love. The Personal Property Tax Lists for the Year 1787 for Accomack County,
Virginia. Springfield, VA: Genealogical Books in Print, 1987.