|
a.
|
Note: N508 Tyler’s “Cradle of Virginia” states that Jane, the wife of Henry Hartwell, was sister to Nicholas and Francis Meriwether. No primary evidence has been found to support this, and, in fact, the information in Henry Hartwell’s will strongly suggests that Jane was the sister of Elizabeth (?) Meriwether Browne, wife of Nicholas Meriwether. In the will, Henry Hartwell names the living descendants of Nicholas and Elizabeth as nieces and nephews of his wife (Jane). He also names Elizabeth Browne, daughter of Elizabeth (?) Meriwether Browne and her second husband, Lt. Col. William Browne, as a niece. Note that Hartwell did NOT mention Elizabeth (Meriwether) Clements, eldest child of Nicholas Meriwether (and his first wife?). If Jane were the sister of Nicholas, Elizabeth Browne would not have been a niece and Elizabeth (Meriwether) Clements (and descendants, who were alive in 1699 & known to Henry Hartwell) would have been.
Although the source of Tyler’s statement is unknown, it is possible that Jane was a Meriwether by marriage prior to marrying Henry Hartwell. Perhaps Nicholas and Francis Meriwether married sisters, not an uncommon action. It is known that prior to marrying Henry Hartwell, Jane was married to a Maj. William White of Jamestowne. In the 1660 and 1670 documentation, it appears there were two William Whites, a Capt. William White in Surry county and Maj. William White of Jamestowne. In a 1669 Surry county document, a William White states that he married the relict of William Broadrib. If this is Jane, then she could not have married Francis, as he did not die until about 1676. However, an additional Surry county document in 1677 states that Capt. William White was deceased at that time. Maj. William White, however, was doing business with Nicholas Meriwether in 1678. This strongly indicates that the relict of William Broadrib was NOT Jane (?) White Hartwell and that the aforesaid Jane could have married Maj. William White after the death of Francis Meriwether in 1676.
In summary, it is the opinion of the Meriwether Society that Jane (?) White Hartwell is the sister of Elizabeth (?) Meriwether Browne. Though there is no evidence that Jane was married to Francis Meriwether, it cannot be ruled out.
Copyright 2003, The Meriwether Society, Inc.
|
