SOURCES: Bible Records of Tennessee, Vol III, p.188 McDaniel Bible: Accession 483 bible records, Tennessee, 1700-1970 ca 1000 items, 5 reels. Bible records of the Archives and Manuscript Section, Tennessee state Library and Archives; Will Book 1, p.222 Halifax Co.,VA; Will and Deed Book 10, p.112 Halifax Co., VA; genealogical data from New York Post 1743-1773 5con929.l; "McDaniel Family Research" by Harry D. Roberts, LDS Library, Salt Lake City, Utah.
He died possessed of sufficient estate to pay all his debts. William McDaniel is his administrator. " In his will William named enough of his heirs to establish him as the progenitor of this branch of the McDaniel family. In that will he also named his slaves: "Daniel, Lester, Justee, Fanny, Caroline,Nero, Simon, Lucy, David, Old Dick, young Dick, Hector, Betty and her son Sam,Lukee, Febe, Robert, Manuel, Milly, Sucky, Nat, Duncan, Dinah his wife, young Duncan, Darkness, Jenny's child, Frank, Caroline, Rachel, Joe, Lucy, Dave, Tanny, Peter, Jenny, Julius, Lydia and ?
ABSTRACTS OF WILLS OF WILLIAM AND ANNE McDANIEL
William McDaniel, resident of Halifax County, VA, will written 14 Feb 1777,
proved 16 Jul 1778. Names: wife Anne; sons John deceased, William, Clement,
James Smith, Collan, Joel; daughters Chloe, Nancy, Polley, Catharine;
grandsons William and Johnson (of John). John was referred to as William's
eldest son and James Smith, Collan, Joel, Nancy, and Polly as his five
youngest children. William signed the will. [Smith was his wife Anne's
maiden name.]
Anne McDaniel, will written 21 Sep 1794, proved 19 Jan 1795. Names: children William, Clement, Chloe, James Smith, Collan, Nancey, Polley, and Joel; granddaughter Anne Smith McDaniel, daughter (of Clement). Anne made her mark in the form of a printed letter "A." Two of the witnesses were James McDonald and Absolom McDonalld. A third witness looks like Abselm Donalld.
William appears to have owned considerable property. 800 acres "out of the tract I now live on lying on both sides of Rye Creek" went to his son William. A 300-acre plantation along the Bannister River went to Clement. 200 acres on Polecat Creek went to Chloe. 500 acres "out of the tract I now live on" went to James Smith. 500 acres "out of the said tract I now live on" went to Collan. 500 acres comprising "the plantation whereon I now live" went to Joel. Finally, two additional tracts which he owned in Pittsylvania County, 300 acres on Pigg River and 482 acres on Sandy Creek of Dan River, were reserved for the payment of William's debts. In all, William left 3,582 acres of land.
William's will was dated 14 Feb 1777 and probated in Halifax County, Virginia on 16 July 1778. In it he mentions his wife Anne and all of their children. The family farm was divided with the house and 500 acres going to Anne. William recieved 800 acres, "lying on both sides of Bye Creek," and James Smith, Collin and Joel each received 500 acres. Clement recieved the 300 acre Bannister farm and Chloe 200 acres on Polecat Creek. The slaves (40 total) were divided among Anne and the children. The five youngest were named as James Smith, Collin, Nancy, Polly and Joel. Nancy and Polly were to receive 50 pounds each when of lawful age or eighteen. Two tracts of land, 300 and 482 acres, in Pittsylvania County on the Sandy Creek of the Dan River was to be sold for the payment of debts, etc. The children of Johnson (deceased) had already received an equal part by Deed of Gift and were excluded from the will. Catherine had received her share at the time of her marriage and was also excluded.
Notes for ANNE B. SMITH: Mixed Probate Records - Pittsylvania County, VA Book 2, 1788-1797 McDaniel, Ann - Clement McDaniel, extr
James Smith McDaniel has a brother Clement McDaniel in Pittsylvania Co. and his mother Ann McDaniel died there. Her will is recorded in Pittsylvania County Virginia Court Records, Will Bk 10 p 112, jan 19, 1795. In the will she list her children; Joel, William Clement, Chole, James Smith, Collan,Nancy and Polly. There is no mention of her husband by name. Ann McDaniel’s maiden name may have been Smith, as James’s middle name is Smith and William Clement name a daughter Ann Smith McDaniel. This will was witnessed by James McDonald and Absolom McDonald, which may have been McDaniel as they interchange.