Benjamin Lockett

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Husband Benjamin Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Apr 1793 - (Chesterfield Co., Virginia)
         Buried: 

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         Father: Benjamin Lockett (Abt 1669-After 1731)
         Mother: Winnifred Pride (      -1729)

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       Marriage: 

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Wife

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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Children

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1 F Winnifred Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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2 M Benjamin Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: 1774 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia
         Buried: 

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3 M Francis Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt Apr 1801 - Chesterfield Co., Virginia
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Cheatham (      -Bef 1772)

         Spouse: Mary Elam (      -Bef 1800)
           Marr: Bef 1772

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4 M Charles Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt 1790 - (Chesterfield Co., Virginia)
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Susanna (      -1806)

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5 F Mary Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: After 1807
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Akin (      -      )

         Spouse: Watkins (      -      )

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6 M Archibald Lockett

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           Born: 
     Christened: 
           Died: Abt 1777
         Buried: 

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7 M Richard Lockett

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           Born: Bef 1734 - Virginia
     Christened: 
           Died: Mar 1795 - Bedford Co., Virginia
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Mary Logwood (      -Abt 1805)

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General Notes: Husband - Benjamin Lockett

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CENSUS:

1783 Chesterfield Co., Virginia
Benj'a Lockett -- 3 white, 7 black

http://www2.census.gov/prod2/decennial/documents/1790m-03.pdf

SUMMARY:

In 1725 a tract of 381 acres was patented to Benjamin Lockett, Jr. and his brother William. Previously in 1721 a contiguous tract of 400 acres had been patented to Benjamin Lockett (probably to this Benjamin Lockett but maybe to his father). Deed records do not indicate that Benjamin the son ever purchased any land. Between 1754 and 1774 Benjamin sold land to his three sons Richard, Francis, and Charles. In the case of Richard and Charles the price was so low that the sale was really a gift. In 1766 he sold a slave to Francis and gave one to each of Charles, Archibald, and Mary. In 1785 he gave a Negro woman and her 3 children to Richard. In 1767 Benjamin mortgaged 4 slaves and in 1769 after paying the debt and regaining them, he mortgaged them again along with the 113 acre tract he was living on to secure a debt of £100. He was able to pay the debt and regain possession of the land and the slaves. It was the 113 acre tract that he sold/gave to Charles in 1774. Charles soon mortgaged it to Francis, who finally became the owner of it 12 years later in 1786. I suspect that Benjamin continued to live there until his death, which occurred in about 1793. In 1788 in the personal property tax list Benjamin is a white tithable in the household of his son Francis. Then until 1792 he has a separate entry

DETAILS of LAND and SLAVES:

On May 2, 1721 a tract of 400 acres in Henrico Co. on the south side of Swift Creek was patented to Benjamin Locket. It adjoins James Akin and John Russell.

Locket, Benjamin. grantee.
Land grant 2 May 1721.
Location: Henrico County.
Description: 400 acres on the south side of Swift Creek begg. &c. of James Aken and John Russells survey.
Source: Land Office Patents No. 11, 1719-1724, p. 61 (Reel 10).

On August 17, 1725 a tract of 381 acres in Henrico Co. on the north side of Appomattock River was patented to William Lockitt and Benjamin Locket, Jr.

Locket, William. grantee.
Land grant 17 August 1725.
Location: Henrico County.
Grantee(s): Locket, William and Locket, Benjamin, Jr.
Description: 381 acres on the north side of Appamattox River; Begg. &c. on the north side of the west branch of Dry Creek.
Source: Land Office Patents No. 12, 1724-1726, p. 316 (Reel 11).

The metes and bounds descriptions of the above two tracts show that they were contiguous and on the north side of Dry Creek. They are in what is now Chesterfield Co. The original grants can be seen at the website of the University of Virginia (https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/land-grants). "Browse Virginia Land Office patent and grants volumes chronological list".

Benjamin Lockett, Sr., the father of William and Benjamin, Jr., was old but still alive in 1721. The 1721 land grant may have been to the father rather than to the son.

On December 3, 1754 Benjamin Lockett of Chesterfield Co. sells to Richard Lockett of the same place for £5 a tract of 120 acres by estimation in Chesterfield Co. adjoining Henry Clay, Middle Branch, Dry Creek and William Lockett. Dry Creek is part of the boundary. (Chesterfield Co. Deed Records 2/218)

On July 1, 1756 Benjamin Lockett of Chesterfield Co. sells to his son Frances Lockett of the same place for £65 a tract of 110 acres by estimation in Chesterfield Co. on the south side of Swift Creek. It adjoins John Russell, Spring Branch, John Pride and Henry Clay. (3/65)

On October 9, 1766 Benjamin Lockett Sen'r sells one Negro girl to his son Francis for £12 (5/398) and on December 5 he gives one Negro to each of his 3 children Charles, Archibald and Mary (5/398, 5/399, 5/399). See children for details.

On March 22, 1769 Alexander Stewart of Chesterfield Co. releases and quitclaims to Benjamin Lockett, Senior for £69 9s 1d four Negro slaves (one Negro wenche Kate and her 3 children James, Sam and Little Kate) with their future increase, the same having been formerly mortgaged by the said Benjamin to the said Alexander by deed dated March 5, 1767. (6/155)

On March 22, 1769 Benjamin Lockett, Senior of Chesterfield Co. is indebted to Benjamin Harris of Cumberland Co. in the amount of £100, and Edward Friend and Joseph Ashurst of Chesterfield Co. are his sureties. On that date Benjamin conveys in trust to them a tract of 113 acres including his dwelling place on Dry Creek and 4 Negroes (Kate, James, Sam and Little Kate) and their future increase. (6/201)

Whereas Edward Friend and Jacob Ashurst stand bound for £100 with interest thereon till paid to Benjamin Harris of Cumberland Co. as sureties for Benjamin Lockett of Chesterfield Co. and whereas the said Benjamin Lockett did make to the said Friend and the said Ashurst a deed conveying therein the land and plantation whereon he now lives containing 113 acres with several slaves, to wit, Kate, James, Sam and Little Kate and their future increase, York, and Judy, bearing date March 22, 1769, and whereas the said Benjamin Lockett has discharged the said bond wherein they stand bound, on November 3, 1774 Edward Friend and Jacob Ashurst relinquish all claim to the assets transferred in trust. (7/431)

On November 11, 1774 Benj'n Lockett of Chesterfield Co. sells to Charles Lockett of the same place for £20 a tract of 113 acres, more or less, in Chesterfield Co. on the north side of Dry Creek adjoining Wm. Akin, Charles Lockett and Richard Lockett. (8/12)

On March 4, 1785 Benjamin Lockett, Sr. of Chesterfield Co. "for and in consideration of the love, good will and affection which I have to and bear towards my son Richard Lockett of the aforesaid County and Mary Lockett his wife, do freely lend unto them during their natural life" 4 Negro slaves (Sarah and her 3 children Bettya, Kate, and Matt). These Negroes to be divided among the children of Richard & Mary Lockett after the death of their parents. The witnesses are Benajah Lockett, Arthur Akin, and Francis Lockett. Signed Benj'a (his + mark) Lockett. (11/376)

PERSONAL PROPERTY TAX LIST:

Benajah Lockett is in the Chesterfield Co. Personal Property Tax List from 1786 (the first year for which records are available) until 1792. In 1786 he is a white tithable over 21 and he has no property. The 1787 list is missing. From 1788 to 1792 he is a white tithable over 21 and he has one horse. In 1793 and later he is not present. He is never in the Land Tax List, which is available from 1791 onward. In 1788 he is also listed as a tithable in the household of his son Francis.

DEATH DATE:

On March 4, 1785 Benjamin was alive when he gave 4 slaves to his son Richard. Benajah Lockett was a witness to the will of Francis Cheatham, and he was among the witnesses who proved it. The will was written December 3, 1785, and it was proved October 9, 1788. Benajah Lockett is in the personal property tax list in Chesterfield Co. until 1792. In 1793 and later he is not present. He probably died in about 1793.

WHO WERE HIS CHILDREN?

Benjamin did not leave a will. How do we know who his children were? In 1766 he sells a slave to Francis Lockett, and the deed identifies Francis as his son. Also in 1766 Benjamin gives a slave to Charles Lockett, Archibald Lockett, and Mary Akin (one slave to each of them), and the deeds identify them as his children. In 1785 Benjamin gives 4 slaves to "my son Richard Lockett". All of Benjamin's children are identified by William Logwood in an affidavit relative to a request for bounty land relative to the Revolutionary War service of Archibald. See notes under Benjamin's son Archibald.

CLARIFICATION:

The following statement is at

http://www.locknett.com/trees/ghtout/npr11.html

"Benjamin, Jr. made gifts of land and slaves to all his children during his lifetime, saying on all except Richard's deeds - "so he/she will leave my wife and myself in peace". It is apparent that his children did not care much for their step-mother."

In fact Benjamin made a gift to only 4 of his children -- Charles, Mary, Archibald, and Richard. No such clause appears in any of the deeds.