William Battle (1682 — 1749)

William Battle was born in 1682 in Pasquotank County, North Carolina. He was a son of immigrants from England, John and Elizabeth Battle. With the death of his father in about 1690, William was orphaned, and before 26 Feb 1694 he migrated to Nansemond County, Virginia under the guardianship of Lawrence and Mary Mageo (860).

On 26 Feb 1694, Richard Pope was arrested to answer a suit by Lawrence Mageo and his wife Mary, guardians of William Battle, son and heir of John Battle deceased, in a plea of trespass (860; 1030, Pages 131–132).

William Battle and Sarah Hunter married in Nansemond County, Virginia in about 1702 (576; 861, Page 130). William was about 20 years old, and Sarah Hunter was about age 18 years. Sarah Hunter was likely a daughter of William Hunter. The Hunter family were among settlers who immigrated, together with the John and Elizabeth Battle family, to America from Yorkshire, England.

William Battle appears on a 1704 Nansemond County, Virginia Tax List for Quit Rents on 800 acres (862, Page 438).

William Battle and Sarah (Hunter) Battle are known to have had at least five children: William Battle, Jr., born in about 1707; John Battle, born on 30 Apr 1709; Mary Battle, born in about 1723; Elisha Battle, born on 9 Jan 1723; and Sarah Battle. All children of William and Sarah Battle were likely born in Nansemond County, Virginia. Little is known about Sarah Battle; she may have died young.

On 27 Apr 1728, William Battle purchased land in Bertie County, North Carolina from James Williamson (377, Page 172). According to the deed, William Battle was a resident of Nansemond County, Virginia at the time of his purchase. He was likely living in Nansemond County on 27 Mar 1744, when at a Vestry it was ordered that “Henry Wright and Peter Butler in presence of the Inhabitants procession all the Bounds of Land, from Jernagans Bridge runn to Speights Runn So up to William Battles …” (575, Page 4).

William Battle died in Nansemond County, Virginia in 1749 at age 67 years (377, Page 172).

Deed by James Williamson to William Battle (377, Page 172)
Bertie County, North Carolina
27 Apr 1728

To all to whom these presents shall come I, James Williamson of Bertie prect. in the province of North Carolina, Send Greeting & Know yee that I the sd James Williamson for and in consideration of the sum of one Hundred and Twenty pds. Current money of North Carolina to me in hand paid or secured to be paid by William Battle of the Collony of Virginia and County of Nansemond the receipt, in hereof and therefrom, acquit, Exonerate and discharge the Sd. William Battle, his heirs, Executors, Admrs. or assigns and from every part and prcl thereof forever by these presents have given, granted, bargained and sold, aliened, Enfeoffed, Conveyed, Confirmed, Asigned and set over unto the said William Battle, his heirs and assigns and by these presents do fully, freely and absolutely give, grant, bargain, sell, alien, Enfeff and Confirm unto the said, his heirs and assigns forever a certain tract of land by Estimation three Hundred Acres be it more or less, Situated, lying and being in Bertie prect. and province aforesaid beginning at the end of the line that divides between James Williamson and Jonothan Tayloe next to Roquest Swamp, so running along the said Williamson's line No. and by Et. according to the courses of the patent to a marked white oak, thence running No: 40, Et. according to the courses of the patent to a spanish oak, hickory and dogwood, thence to the run of a branch spring out of Roquest Swamp, thence running up the branch as far as will take a red oak that is marked in the line to make it parallel with the first line so running from thence to the dividing line between the said James Williamson and Jonothan Tayloe so long the sd. line to the first Station, it being part of the patent Granted to the sd. James Williamson bearing date the 5th day of Apr. Anno Domini 1720. To have and to hold the above bargained premises with all the Appurtenances thereto belonging to the only proper use and benefit and behoof of him the sd. William Battle his heirs, Ex., Adms., and assigns forever, and that fully and freely without any the least let hindrance, Molestation, Eviction, Ejection from me my heirs, Exrs, Adms., or assigns or from any person or persons wt'soever laying any claim by from or under me. Furthermore I the said James Williamson Do promise and grant to and with the sd. Wm. Battle, his heirs and assigns in manner and form following, that is to say. y't I have full Power and absolute authority at and before the unsealing and delivery thereof to sell and dispose of the above bargained premises unto him the said Wm. Battle, his heirs and assigns according to the true intent and meanings of these presents aforementioned and the same with the appurtenances ag't me, my heirs, Exrs., Admrs., and Agt. the Lawful claims of any person or persons w't forever by from or under me them or any of them to the only proper use benefit on behoof of him the sd. Wm. Battle, his heirs or assigns forever, do promise to warrant and defend.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal at Bertie precinct province afores'd this 27th Apr. Anno Domini 1728.

James Williamson (Seal)
Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presents of Jno. Hays; Jno. Battle; Wm. Walstone

Bertie prect. ss. May Court 1728. The above Deed of Sale was de'l by James Williamson in open Court in due form of Law, and at the same time came Philip Walstone by virtue of a Power of Attorneys from Constance Williamson proved by the oath of Phillip Walstone one of the evidences thereto and acknowledged her right of Dower in the land to William Battle which on motion is ordered to be Registered and is Registered.

Test. Edward Marshborne - Dept. Clk.
                                                                                                    
Transcription by Virginia Sanders Mylius.