Owen Edmunds ¹

The "Miles Files" at the Eastern Shore Public Library (Virginia) states the following regarding who the father of Owen Edumnds was: "In his 1633 will Robert Edmound left to John Thomkins 2,000 6-penny nails which Thomas Wyatt owes me of his own making. In 1640 Thomas Wyatt was given a patent for 400 acres of tract N69 at Bridgetown on Church Creek. The original patent to Wyatt is not recorded, but it is mentioned with its date in the record of a patent of 1664 to Elias Hartree for 600 acres, 200 said to have been assigned by Wyatt. In 1666 Elias Hartree's widow Jane (Cutting) left a suit of clothes that was her husband's to Owen Edmuns(sic). This places Owen Edmunds in or near the same general location in Northampton County as Thomas Wyatt who was named in Robert Edmound's will. Owen Edmunds was never named as a headright or on a land certificate issued in Northampton or Accomack Counties which implies that he did not immigrate into these counties and was evidently born in Northampton County. He was also the only Edmounds named in Northampton or Accomack County records between the 1633 will of Robert Edmounds and his will of 1696 when he named a son David. From these facts it seems evident that he is the only possible person who could have been the child named in Robert Edmound's will of 1633."

In the Muster of August 1664 at Accomack Co., VA, he is shown as Owin Edmonds, delinquent at August muster 1664, presumably for military duty. In court on Jan 17 1666/7 in Accomack Co., Thomas Hall, Jno. Cross, Wm. Alworth, Owen Edmond, Edm. Furlong, Barth. Meeres, Wm. Gowers, Richard Welch and Phillip Howard did not have good reasons for being absent for the muster on Dec 18 - it was ordered that they be fined. He was mentioned again in court on Mar 28 1667 in Northampton Co. when it was ordered that the sheriff forthwith take Owen Edmunds into his custody & him detain until he enter into bond securiety for his personal appearance at the next court for payment of court charges. Then, he was a defendant in a court case on Nov 29 1672 in Northampton Co., in the difference depending between Humphrey Brookes (Mr. Tankard his attorney) plantiff and Owen Edmunds (Tho: Browne his attorney) defendant, the Court findeth no cause for action.

Owen Edmunds bought 350a of land for 6500 ibs of tobacco on Dec 18 1676 from John Belote (as Billiote), in Whitelaw tract N64, south of Marionville, Northampton Co. He bought more land in 1679 in tract A14, between Belle Haven & Craddockville, Accomack Co., from John Fawsett and his mother Rodeah, land his father John had left him six years prior. He sold the 350a of land in tract N64 on Aug 19 1680, to Capt. Nathaniel Walker for 10,000 lbs of tobacco. On Mar 28 1680, Capt. Walker delivered the tobacco to John Faucett of Maryland in payment for 387a of land in Accomack County next to Occohannock Creek.

He sold the land in tract A14 on Dec 1 1683 to William Kendall for 28,000 lbs of tobacco, who resold to Andrew Stewart. Immediately after Owen sold this land in Accomack County he purchased 500a on the seaside in Northampton Co. about 7 miles above his original purchase of land in 1676 and lived there the rest of his life. ("Miles Files") He purchased land after Dec 1 1683 in tract N93, Nassawadox-Willis Wharf, Northampton Co. It was in this year that John Michael of Accomack (tract A70) sold 500a to John Greene; he assigned to Owen Edmunds, to whom Michael gave a new deed. It was the south part above Brownsville Creek and extended westward along the north of tract N90.

He was appointed Constable on Feb 4 1687/8 in Northampton Co. in the stead of John Beliote dec'd for the remaining part of this present year. He was appointed Constable again on May 28 1688 with his limits spanning from George Bell's house upwards alongest the Seaboard side and as far as the Ridge Path to the extent of this county. He was removed as a Constable on May 28 1689 when it was ordered that Henry Stott Junr be Constable this present year in the stead of Owen Edmunds.

Owen Edmunds (as Edmonds) made a will on Dec 5 1696 and it was proven Sep 28 1697 in Northampton Co., VA.
- To son David the plantation where I now live with 350a of land with the house and orchards, and all the clear ground to him and his heirs forever, but for want of such heirs lawfully begotten of his body, the said plantation and land to fall to my daughter Ann Edmonds and her heirs.
- To my son David Edmonds a great Elm chest, my great iron pot, and my least iron pot, two feather beds, the one I lay upon and the other in my loft, with bolsters, rugs and blankets, and what belongs to the two beds, my hand mill, by my will is that his sister Ann Edmonds to have privileges to grind at the said mill while she lives.
- To my said son David Edmonds two of my guns, my great gun and one of my small guns, my wedges and cross cut saw with all my iron tools.
- To my daughter Ann Edmonds 150a of land joining upon Henry Stotts land and so along the road to her and her heirs forever. I give to my said daughter my best feather bed and bed stead and what belongs to the said bed, a Pine chest in the room where the bed is, the middle most pot and an iron kettle, thirty weight of pewter in dishes, three porringers, one candlestick, the best tankard and the choice of my two small guns.
- My said son David Edmonds shall be at age to enjoy what I have left him at 19 years of age and not before, but in case his mother do marry before the said time of his being 19 years of age, that then my said son to be free at the age of 16 years. All the rest of my estate movables to be equally divided between my beloved wife and my said two children and I do make my wife my sole executrix revoking all other wills.
Witnesses: Lawrence Teague (as Teigue), Thomas Teigue and John Walker. Sarah the widow and "relick" of Owen Edmonds dec'd refused to consent to the probate of the will (NoVAW-XVII-13:448)

He's inventory was recorded on Nov 30 1697 at Northampton Co., VA. This day Sarah Edmonds, the widow and admin'rx of Owen Edmonds dec'd (with the will annexed) exhibited an inventory of the estate of the said decedent and made oath to the same which is ordered to be recorded.

Owen married Sarah (?).