Dale's Gift

[Henry Barraud Hunt, Jr.]

In 1697 a patent of 600 acres was re-issued to William Willett, formerly held by Edward Douglas, Jr., as that part had never been seated and had escheated. This patent had been issued to Lt Col Edward Douglas in the year, 1657, the year that Douglas died. The 1100 acre patent issued to Edward Douglas, Sr. in 1644 remained untainted and was held by William Willett. William Willett still retained the 2000 acre patent, which was on the seaboard side of Northampton Co. This had been assigned to Lt. Col Edward Douglas in 1649 by William Shrimpton. In 1645 William Shrimpton had been given a 1000 acre patent in the Dale Plantation for services he provided as executor of Dame Elizabeth Dale's will. Richard Hanby was also an executor. However he died and his 1000 acre patent was added to Shrimpton;s 1000 acres. When Lt Col Edward Douglas appeared Shrimpton assigned this 2000 acre patent to Edward Douglas in 1645. It is clear that William Willett had a total of 3700 acres, in 1697. There was 250 acres William Willett sold to John Custis  and in 1696 William Willett sold to William Baker, 600 acres.He refers to himself as the only son and heir of John Willett, late of the said county, deceased and Elizabeth, his wife, the daughter of Capt Edward Douglas, late of the county, the sister and heir of her brother, Edward Douglas. About 1701William Willett mar Ann Stringer.In 1702 William and Ann Willett had released any claim to 250 acres that was held by David Payne. The Quit Rent Rolls of 1704 credited William Willett with 2650 acres in Northampton Co. I think the 250 acres credited to John Custis was actually 200 acres, This means William Willett had 2650 acres to leave his children and grandchildren.

[James David Douglas]

I really enjoy reading your posts on Edward Douglas.  They are always full of interesting information.  Thanks for posting Mr Hunt.