Jane Edmiston

b. between 1760 and 1770, d. before 25 August 1836
FatherMoses Edmiston1 d. bef 17 Jun 1806
MotherRachel (?)2 d. 1812
Birthbetween 1760 and 1770 Jane Edmiston was born between 1760 and 1770 based on her 1830 census entry.3 
Marriage She married Alexander Robinson. 
Land-Buy17 Jan 1797  On 17 Jan 1797 Alexander purchased 108 acres of a 230 acre parcel on the South Fork of the Holston River in Washington County, Virginia, from David and Margaret Robinson, and Samuel and Hannah Robinson. The latter two couples lived in Green Co., Tennessee. On the same day the two couples sold David Robinson Sr. of Washington Co. the remaining 122 acres. David and Samuel Robinson had patented the land in 1786.4,5,6 
Devisee12 Apr 1806  Jane's father, Moses Edmiston, wrote his will in Washington County on 12 April 1806. He remembered each of his daughters by given name but did not provide their married names. Jane [written Geon], like her sisters Hanah [sic], Elizabeth and Rachel, received 40 shillings worth of property. Their sister Nancy received $10 in property.1 
Land-Sell16 Aug 1812  On 16 Aug 1812 Alexander and Jane [written Jain] sold the 108 acres Alexander purchased in 1797 to Alexander M. Robinson for $700.7 
Devisee15 Sep 1812  Jane's mother died on or before 15 Sept. 1812. She dictated an oral will in the presence of David Kerr and David Robinson. Jane and her sisters Betsy, Nancy and Rachel were to divide their mother's clothes. Like her husband, Jane did not identify her daughters surnames, with the exception of Hannah Kerr. However, Rachel did identify her other 4 sons-in-law as Alexander Robinson, John Robinson, David Robinson and Mitchel Robinson, providing us with the fact that all 4 sisters married Robinson men.8 
WidowedMar 1817  Alexander Robinson wrote his will in Washington County on 14 Feb. 1817 and died either late that month or in early Feb. He left his personal and real estate to his "beloved wife Jane". The estate was inventoried a few days later. Several slaves were identified including a Negro boy named Mark.9,10 
Cens-18301830  Jane appears to have then lived on the land left to her in Alexander's will. In 1830 she was enumerated as the head of her own household. In addition to herself (female 60-70) the census entry included a 15-20 year old male and 10 slaves.3 
  As Jane grew older she acquired a reputation as someone who was "difficult". She was known to have a wandering mind and suffered from what was known at the time as the "sleepy disease."11 [possibly one of the conditions known today as narcolepsy or sleep apnea] 
Will21 Feb 1835  Jane wrote her will on 21 Feb. 1835. She stated that she left no children or lineal descendants, and considered it her first duty to provide for the welfare of her slaves. She directed her executor to appeal to the Virginia Legislature to pass a bill allowing her slaves, if freed, to remain in the state of Virginia [in this era many if not most of the bills presented to a state legislature were for the benefit of an individual rather than the state as a whole].

If the bill was passed she freed the slaves and devised to them her real and personal estate. If the bill did not pass she left her entire estate, including the slaves, to William Trigg whom she also made her executor. Jane singled out one slave, her "good and trusty servant Mark" and directed that he be freed and provided with enough money to travel to Liberia or any other country he desired.12 
Deathbefore 25 Aug 1836 Jane died before 25 Aug 1836 at which time her will was presented to the Washington County Court by William K. Trigg. However Mitchell Robinson, John Robinson, James Robinson, Moses Robinson, Alexander Robinson and John Edmondson opposed the proof of the will. The men who had witnessed the will, John C. Cummings, John B. Clark and William Bowers were examined in court following which the court ruled against recording the will. William Trigg appealed the decision to the circuit superior Court of Law and Chancery held at Wythe County which reversed the Washington Court's decision. The will was finally recorded in 1839.12 

Related Links and Images:

Read "Who was Jane Robinson?" for a detailed analysis of the men who fought the recording of Jane's 1835 will.
Last Edited2 Nov 2013

Citations

  1. [S617] Moses Edmondson will (recorded 1806), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Bk 3: 11. The will was dated 12 April 1806 and recorded 17 June 1806.
  2. [S617] Rachel Edmiston nuncupative will (1812), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Bk 3: 293.
  3. [S578] Jane Robinson household, 1830 U.S. cens., Washington Co., Virginia, p. 282, line 3, viewed online at Ancestry.com, Feb. 2013. Household includes: Jane Robinson, 1 male 15-20; 1 female 60-70; 10 slaves.
  4. [S1400] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 2: 4. Deed dated 17 Jan, 1797 from David and Margaret Robinson (wife), and Samuel and Hannah Robinson (wife) of Green Co., TN to Alexander Robinson of Washington Co., VA, 108 acres, part of a larger tract of 230 acres patented 18 May 1786 on both sides of the South Fork of the Holston River.
  5. [S1400] Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 2: 3. Deed dated 17 Jan, 1797 from David and Margaret Robinson (wife), and Samuel and Hannah Robinson (wife) of Green Co., TN to David Robinson Sr. of Washington Co., VA, 122 acres, part of a larger tract of 230 acres patented 18 May 1786 on both sides of the South Fork of the Holston River.
  6. [S3106] Virginia Land Office Grants No. 2: 272, Library of Virginia Online.
  7. [S2120] Jack Hockett, Washington Co., Virginia Deed Book 5, 1811-1814, p. 25-26 abstracting Washington Co. VA Deed Bk 5: 118.
  8. [S617] Rachel Edmiston noncupative will (1812), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Bk 3: 293.
  9. [S131] Alexander Robinson will (recorded 1817), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 213.
  10. [S131] Alexander Robinson inventory and appraisal (1817), Washington Co., Virginia, Will Book 4: 219.
  11. [S3072] Depositions of Elizabeth Roberts, Sarah Brewer, William E. Cummings, John B. Clark and Jane Lowry in case of [William K.] Trigg's executors vs [Mitchell] Robinson and others; Wythe Co., Virginia Superior Ct. of Chancery no. 1836-16. The depositions were read and pertinent information extracted by Mrs. Mary Kegley for this researcher.
  12. [S620] Jane Robinson will (recorded 1839), Washington Co., Virginia Will Book 8: 119. The will dated 21 Feb. 1835, and presented at court 25 Aug. 1836, was objected to and not recorded. The matter was referred to a court of Chancery at Wythe County which overturned the objections and ordered the will recorded which occurred on 24 Dec. 1839 in Washington Co.