Joane Smithier1,2,3

F, ID# 1711, (c 1608 - b 1675)
Father:(Unknown) Smithier (a 1574 - )
     Joane Smithier was born c 1608 at London, Middlesex, England. She was the daughter of (Unknown) Smithier. Joane Smithier married (Unknown) Powell c 1624. Joane Smithier married John Custis I alias Cliffe, son of Edmund Custis I alias Clift and Bridgett Smithier, c 1625. Joane Smithier died b 1675.

Children of Joane Smithier and John Custis I alias Cliffe

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."
  2. [S14] Ellen Martin Research.
  3. [S2] "Moody Miles Research."

(Unknown) Powell1

M, ID# 1712, (a 1599 - )
     (Unknown) Powell was born a 1599. He married Joane Smithier, daughter of (Unknown) Smithier, c 1624.

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Ann Kendall1,2,3,4

F, ID# 1713, (c 1693 - )
Father:CPT William Kendall II (the elder) (1664 - 1696)
Mother:Anne Mason (1662 - )
     Ann Kendall was born c 1693 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of CPT William Kendall II (the elder) and Anne Mason. Ann Kendall married Thomas Custis, son of Edmund Custis (of Deep Creek) and Tabitha Smart Whittington, on 24 Jun 1717 at Northampton Co, Virginia. Ann Kendall married CPT Henry Custis I, son of COL John Custis III (of Wilsonia) and Margaret Michael, in 1722. Ann Kendall married Edmond Allen c 1735. Her estate was probated on 14 Nov 1758.
      There was a Susanna Kendall that was the daughter of William Kendall II; it is assumed that she is the same Anne Kendall, daughter of William Kendall that married Henry Custis.

Children of Ann Kendall and Thomas Custis

Children of Ann Kendall and CPT Henry Custis I

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."
  2. [S49] Mark Clifford Lewis (1887 - 1970), "Kendall-Satchell-Martin Family."
  3. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."
  4. [S2] "Moody Miles Research."

Kerry G. Cone1

M, ID# 1714
Father:Robert "Bob" O. Cone II
Mother:Billie Jo Frances Winslett (5 Jul 1929 - 5 Aug 2011)
     Kerry G. Cone is the son of Robert "Bob" O. Cone II and Billie Jo Frances Winslett.

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Ann Custis1

F, ID# 1715, (27 Aug 1725 - )
Father:CPT Henry Custis I (c 1680 - )
Mother:Ann Kendall (c 1693 - )
     Ann Custis was born on 27 Aug 1725. She was the daughter of CPT Henry Custis I and Ann Kendall. Ann Custis married Peter Hack I a 1750.

Child of Ann Custis and Peter Hack I

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Elizabeth Custis1

F, ID# 1716, (27 Aug 1718 - )
Father:Thomas Custis (c 1686 - Mar 1721)
Mother:Ann Kendall (c 1693 - )
     Elizabeth Custis was born on 27 Aug 1718 at Northampton Co, Virginia. She was the daughter of Thomas Custis and Ann Kendall. Elizabeth Custis married Thomas Teackle II on 9 Nov 1732.

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Peter Hack I1

M, ID# 1717, (a 1725 - )
     Peter Hack I was born a 1725. He married Ann Custis, daughter of CPT Henry Custis I and Ann Kendall, a 1750.
      Peter Hack was fifth in descent from the immigrant George Jones (spelling of last name uncertain).

Child of Peter Hack I and Ann Custis

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Peter Hack II1

M, ID# 1718, (11 Apr 1754 - )
Father:Peter Hack I (a 1725 - )
Mother:Ann Custis (27 Aug 1725 - )
     Peter Hack II was born on 11 Apr 1754 at 'Fair View', Accomack Co, Virginia. He was the son of Peter Hack I and Ann Custis. His estate was probated on 18 Oct 1844 at Accomack Co, Virginia.
      Peter Hack II was a vestryman at St George's Protestant Episcopal Church, Accomack Co, VA, as were all his family of recent lineage.

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Thomas Custis1

M, ID# 1719, (a 1629 - )
Father:John Custis I alias Cliffe (1592 - 1644)
Mother:Joane Smithier (c 1608 - b 1675)
     Thomas Custis was born a 1629. He was the son of John Custis I alias Cliffe and Joane Smithier. Thomas Custis was buried at Baltimore, Co Cork, Munster, Irish Republic.

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."

Gail (Unknown)1

F, ID# 1720
     Gail (Unknown) married Robert O. Cone III, son of Robert "Bob" O. Cone II and Billie Jo Frances Winslett, a 1970.

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Katherine "Katy" Lois Cone1

F, ID# 1721
Father:Robert O. Cone III
Mother:Gail (Unknown)
     Katherine "Katy" Lois Cone is the daughter of Robert O. Cone III and Gail (Unknown).

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

John Custis IV (of Arlington)1,2

M, ID# 1722, (1678 - Nov 1749)
Father:COL John Custis III (of Wilsonia) (1654 - 26 Jan 1713)
Mother:Margaret Michael (1658 - c 1692)
     John Custis IV (of Arlington) was born in 1678 at Northampton Co, Virginia. He was the son of COL John Custis III (of Wilsonia) and Margaret Michael. John Custis IV (of Arlington) married Frances Parke in 1706. John Custis IV (of Arlington) died in Nov 1749 at Bruton Parish, James City Co, Virginia. His estate was probated on 9 Apr 1750 at James City Co, Virginia.
      John Custis IV inherited Arlington Mansion in Northampton Co, VA. He moved to Williamsburg in the early 1700s. John was a burgess for Northampton Co in 1705-06 and for the College of William and Mary in 1718 and was a member of the Council in 1727-49.

John's will was dated 14 Nov 1749 in James City, VA: Daniel was named in his father's will on 14 Nov 1749 at Williamsburg, James City Co, VA. In his will John Custis named my Negro boy christened John, otherwise called Jack, born of the body of my slave Alice and son Daniel Park Custis, executor. He did not name his daughter Frances Parke Custis who had married William Winch. John's sons John, and Daniel and Martha (whom Daniel married in the year following his father's death and who later married George Washington) lived either at White House on the Pamunkey River (Daniel's chief residence) or possibly Custis Square. Martha is believed to have spitefully discarded many of her father-in-law's possessions when she "cleaned house" a number of years later at Custis Square.

John's will was probated 9 Apr 1750 in James City Co, VA and 19 Nov 1753 in England. Administration of John's estate was filed on 23 Sep 1784 at James City Co, VA. In left hand margin of page 3 appears the following entry: on the twenty-third day of September 1784, Administration with the will annexed of the goods and chattels and credits of the Honorable John Custis, late of the City of Williamsburg, in County of James City, in the Colony of Virginia, deceased, left unadministered by Daniel Parke Custis, deceased, whilst living, the son of the deceased and sole Executor and Residuary Legatee named in the said will, was granted to Wakelin Welch, the lawful attorney of Martha Washington, formerly Custis, wife of his Excellency the Honorable George Washington, the Relict and Administratrix of the goods of the said Daniel Parke Custis, deceased, for the use and benefit of the said Martha Washington, formerly Custis, now residing at Virginia aforesaid, he having been first sworn duly to administer. The said Daniel Parke Custis dying intestate.

Children of John Custis IV (of Arlington) and Frances Parke

Child of John Custis IV (of Arlington) and Alice (Unknown)

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."
  2. [S2] "Moody Miles Research."

Frances Parke1

F, ID# 1723, (c 1686 - 13 Mar 1715)
     Frances Parke was born c 1686 at James City Co, Virginia. She married John Custis IV (of Arlington), son of COL John Custis III (of Wilsonia) and Margaret Michael, in 1706. Frances Parke died on 13 Mar 1715.

Children of Frances Parke and John Custis IV (of Arlington)

Citations

  1. [S12] "Ella Virginia Auguste Perry (1870-1971) Research: Collection of hand-written Lanphier, Martin, Perry, Russell and Other Family Documents."

Sophia Lanphier1

F, ID# 1724, (13 Mar 1795 - 28 Mar 1795)
Father:Robert Going Lanphier I (18 Sep 1765 - 27 Aug 1846)
Mother:Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears (8 Mar 1774 - 6 Jun 1853)
     Sophia Lanphier was born on 13 Mar 1795 at Alexandria, Virginia. She was the daughter of Robert Going Lanphier I and Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears. Sophia Lanphier died on 28 Mar 1795 at Alexandria, Virginia.

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."

Robert Going Lanphier II1,2,3

M, ID# 1725, (22 Mar 1799 - Nov 1838)
Father:Robert Going Lanphier I (18 Sep 1765 - 27 Aug 1846)
Mother:Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears (8 Mar 1774 - 6 Jun 1853)
     Robert Going Lanphier II was born on 22 Mar 1799 at Alexandria, Virginia. He was the son of Robert Going Lanphier I and Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears. Robert Going Lanphier II married Nancy Garrett Martin, daughter of Captain James Parmer Martin and Rachel Ann Guthrie, a 1830. Robert Going Lanphier II died in Nov 1838 at Nashville, Tennessee, at age 39.

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."
  2. [S199] Samuel Pearce May (b. 1828), Richard Sares (Sears) Descendants.
  3. [S1] "Virginia Winslett Research."

James Whaley Lanphier1

M, ID# 1726, (10 Sep 1808 - 10 Oct 1808)
Father:Robert Going Lanphier I (18 Sep 1765 - 27 Aug 1846)
Mother:Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears (8 Mar 1774 - 6 Jun 1853)
     James Whaley Lanphier was born on 10 Sep 1808. He was the son of Robert Going Lanphier I and Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears. James Whaley Lanphier died on 10 Oct 1808 at Alexandria, Virginia.

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."

Sarah Jane Lanphier1

F, ID# 1727, (7 Apr 1815 - )
Father:Robert Going Lanphier I (18 Sep 1765 - 27 Aug 1846)
Mother:Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears (8 Mar 1774 - 6 Jun 1853)
     Sarah Jane Lanphier was born on 7 Apr 1815. She was the daughter of Robert Going Lanphier I and Elizabeth 'Betsey' Sears.

Citations

  1. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."

Mason Robert Cone1

M, ID# 1728
Father:Robert O. Cone III
Mother:Gail (Unknown)
     Mason Robert Cone is the son of Robert O. Cone III and Gail (Unknown).

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Cynthia Cone1

F, ID# 1729
Father:Robert O. Cone III
Mother:Gail (Unknown)
     Cynthia Cone is the daughter of Robert O. Cone III and Gail (Unknown).

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Alice Vaneta Downer1

F, ID# 1730, (20 Nov 1904 - 2 Oct 1977)
     Alice Vaneta Downer was born on 20 Nov 1904 at Mount Vernon, Jefferson Co, Illinois. She married Frank Marion Winslett II, son of Francis "Frank" Marion Winslett I and Sarah Jane Crain, c 1922. Alice Vaneta Downer died on 2 Oct 1977 at Conroe, Montgomery Co, Texas, at age 72.

Child of Alice Vaneta Downer and Frank Marion Winslett II

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Alma Schatzel

F, ID# 1731, (1898 - 1919)
     Alma Schatzel was born in 1898 at Tennessee. She married Frank Marion Winslett II, son of Francis "Frank" Marion Winslett I and Sarah Jane Crain, c 1918. Alma Schatzel died in 1919 at Texas.

Frances Winslett1

F, ID# 1732
Father:Frank Marion Winslett II (13 Jun 1895 - 16 Jun 1970)
Mother:Alice Vaneta Downer (20 Nov 1904 - 2 Oct 1977)
     Frances Winslett is the daughter of Frank Marion Winslett II and Alice Vaneta Downer.

Citations

  1. [S641] James M. Winslett Records.

Unknown Hunnicutt

F, ID# 1733
Father:Hazel Cecil Hunnicutt (a 1904 - )
Mother:Pauline Winslett (1914 - 5 Nov 1993)
     Unknown Hunnicutt is the daughter of Hazel Cecil Hunnicutt and Pauline Winslett.

Child of Unknown Hunnicutt

Tom Hall

M, ID# 1734
Mother:Unknown Hunnicutt
     Tom Hall is the son of Unknown Hunnicutt.

Mary Belle Shaddix1

F, ID# 1735, (3 Feb 1916 - 30 May 1993)
Father:Ambers Hershfield Shaddix (27 Sep 1889 - 15 Feb 1958)
Mother:Mary Cordelia "Delia" Strong (28 Mar 1890 - Mar 1964)
     Mary Belle Shaddix was born on 3 Feb 1916 at Lilly, Georgia. She was the daughter of Ambers Hershfield Shaddix and Mary Cordelia "Delia" Strong. Mary Belle Shaddix married Floyd Cayll c 1936. Mary Belle Shaddix died on 30 May 1993 at Bryson City, Swain Co, North Carolina, at age 77.

Child of Mary Belle Shaddix and Floyd Cayll

Citations

  1. [S642] Alicia Arnsdorff Wilkerson Research.

Floyd Cayll1

M, ID# 1736, (10 Oct 1907 - May 1991)
     Floyd Cayll was born on 10 Oct 1907 at Waukesha, Wisconsin. He married Mary Belle Shaddix, daughter of Ambers Hershfield Shaddix and Mary Cordelia "Delia" Strong, c 1936. Floyd Cayll died in May 1991 at Toccoa, Fannin Co, Georgia, at age 83.

Child of Floyd Cayll and Mary Belle Shaddix

Citations

  1. [S642] Alicia Arnsdorff Wilkerson Research.

Cordelia Louise Cayll1

F, ID# 1737
Father:Floyd Cayll (10 Oct 1907 - May 1991)
Mother:Mary Belle Shaddix (3 Feb 1916 - 30 May 1993)
     Cordelia Louise Cayll is the daughter of Floyd Cayll and Mary Belle Shaddix. Cordelia Louise Cayll married Robert H. Arnsdorff a 1957.

Child of Cordelia Louise Cayll and Robert H. Arnsdorff

Citations

  1. [S642] Alicia Arnsdorff Wilkerson Research.

Robert H. Arnsdorff1

M, ID# 1738
     Robert H. Arnsdorff married Cordelia Louise Cayll, daughter of Floyd Cayll and Mary Belle Shaddix, a 1957.

Child of Robert H. Arnsdorff and Cordelia Louise Cayll

Citations

  1. [S642] Alicia Arnsdorff Wilkerson Research.

Alicia Arnsdorff1

F, ID# 1739
Father:Robert H. Arnsdorff
Mother:Cordelia Louise Cayll
     Alicia Arnsdorff is the daughter of Robert H. Arnsdorff and Cordelia Louise Cayll. Alicia Arnsdorff married Willard "Bill" Wilkerson a 1980.

Citations

  1. [S642] Alicia Arnsdorff Wilkerson Research.

William Bernard Sears I1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22

M, ID# 1740, (1732 - 27 Apr 1818)
Charts:John Satchell Martin * lineage
     William Bernard Sears I was born in 1732 at London, Middlesex, England. He immigrated in Aug 1755 to Virginia. He married Elizabeth Young Whaley, daughter of James Whaley II and Lydia Ann Ramey, c 1769 at Fairfax, Virginia. William Bernard Sears I died on 27 Apr 1818 at Fairfax Co, Virginia. He was buried at Alexandria, Virginia.
      William Bernard "Barney" Sears came to America as English prisoner Barnard Seers, was sold into indenture and ultimately became a renowned wood carver. William was the Barnard Seers, carver, who at age twenty was sentenced to seven years transport to the colonies for stealing "one cloth waistcoat, one worsted waistcoat, one cloth coat, one pair of cloath breeches, four linnen shifts, two linnen shirts, twelve linnen aprons and one guinea," perhaps in running away from his master (see Proceedings on the King's Commission of the Peace, London, 1752 and reprinted in Coldham, Bonded Passseners in America, pg 236.) William was sentenced to transport in May - Jun 1752 and embarked from the ship Tryal in America in Aug 1752.

No evidence shows any relationship between the William Sears (1748-1831), son of James Sears and Sarah Coffman of Hampshire Co, VA (now WV) and our ancestor William Bernard Sears (1732-1818), however someone merged our ancestor William Bernard Sears into the Sears-Coffman family on Janet Broadbent's familysearch.org tree in 2017. Furthermore, there are a number of William Sears all married to Elizabeths, so nothing can be taken at face value.

Sears' passage to Virginia was paid by Colonel George Mason of Gunston Hall, Mason Neck, Lorton, VA to whom he was indentured until the amount was repaid, and based on the dates of work, worked at least the full seven years. Sears' indenture papers have not been found.

In 1755 Thomas Mason, brother of George Mason, indentured another man, William Buckland (1734-1774), in England to come to Virginia to design interior architectural details and supervise a carpenter's and joiner's work on George Mason's home Gunston Hall. The home was a large brick mansion built beginning in 1753 ten miles south of Alexandria, VA in Mason Neck, VA. Buckland worked on the home until his indenture expired in 1759, and Gunston Hall has his indenture papers.

The titles of master builder and joiner meant far more in the 1750s than they do now. A long, difficult apprenticeship had to be served and pride of craft was inherent. Carvers were scarce in eighteenth century Virginia which kept Sears' skills in demand. It was the builder and joiner who translated the general design ideas of their clients into the finished state of proper proportion and scale, very much as a skilled draftsman designer turns out blueprints today from an architect's sketches. Decorative wood carving was developed in England in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries; in the late seventeeth and eighteenth century carving became a popular high art. Decorative interiors required a joiner who could plane and a wood carver.

On Buckland's staff at Gunston Hall were James Brent and William Bernard Sears. From the beginning Sears earned a reputation for producing careful, elaborate wood carving of the finest quality. Sears became known for pierced carved leaves rusticulated with small gouge cuts, giving the appearance of complex, jagged edges. In addition to architectural details, he also carved furniture, including a Chinese style chair for the Mason family. As an artist, Sears seemed uncomfortable leaving any surface plain. His carving style is so distinctive and unconventional that it is as identifiable as a signature. His work spans nearly twenty years, and yet there is remarkable technical and stistic consistency. His style was unique in many respects, which suggests he was deeply involved in the design as well as the execution of his carving.

From 1755 until 1760 Sears created the exquisite, elaborate central hall, dining and drawing room carved moldings, arches, window surrounds, cupboards and stair trimming in Gunston Hall. The dining room is the only surviving example of an entire Chinoiserie room from the American colonies and was noted by architectural historians as perhaps being the finest example of Chinese taste in America. The result of Buckland and Sears' work was a dazzling array of ornamental wood work that took more than five years to complete and testified to Sears' talent and dexterity as a carver. Several scholars believe Sears did all of the carving at Gunston Hall himself. Buckland likely furnished him with designs, and Sears was entirely responsible for the interpretation in wood. The project gave enormous rein to a skilled carver, and Sears proved more than equal to the task. Buckland and Sears also worked together on a side chair, one of at least four made for Gunston Hall. In 2009 historian Luke Beckerdite who has researched and written about Sears' work stated he purchased the wooden chair made by Buckland-Sears for the Gunston Hall museum from a Mason descendant in Washington DC.

In 1760 Buckland worked on the new Truro Church glebe house in Fairfax, VA. Sears moved near Warsaw, Richmond Co, VA across the river from Tappahannock, VA with Buckland's shop in 1761. His co-worker, James Brent stayed to complete the work at Gunston Hall. In 1763 Brent brought a suit against Buckland for a 1759 pair of shoes for Sears and 1761 wages. Buckland's shop regularly made furniture, chimney pieces and coffins in addition to doing architectural work.

Sears worked for Buckland carving furniture and architectural details in the Tayloe family mansion Mount Airy in Warsaw, VA on the Rappahannock River from 1761 until 1765. Built beginning in 1748, the Tayloe mansion was later destroyed by an 1844 fire set by a disgruntled servant. Three pieces of carved crown molding are the only surviving woodwork. One piece now serves as a mantel and resembles Sears' other carvings. A pier table and sideboard table attributed to Buckland and Sears also survived. The only other known furniture possibly from Buckland's shop is a fretwork sideboard table owned at one time by the famous antique furniture expert Wallace Nutting. After 1768 Buckland may have worked on Menokin, the Lee-Tayloe home near Mount Airy.

Court orders show Sears was in or near Loudoun Co, VA between April 1765 and Aug 1768. He married about 1769. Sears was on the Loudoun Co, VA tithable list of Cameron Parish in 1771, where he had negro Jack listed as a tithable; later (date unknown) William was listed with seven slaves.

Buckland moved to Annapolis in late 1771 to work on the Chase-Lloyd and Mathias houses. Sears apparently stayed in Virginia where his children were born during the 1770s. In Maryland, Buckland possbily contracted for "the superb interior carving" in Whitehall built between 1764 and 1765 outside Annapolis, MD and definitely on the brilliant carving in the Hammond-Harwood House built between 1770 and 1774 in Annapolis, MD. Because Buckland was an architect and not a wood carver, the carving was likely completed by Thomas Hall.

The talent Sears displayed in his work at Gunston Hall won him the privilege of being selected by the contractor Daniel French to work at historic Pohick Church built by the Truro Church Parish in eastern Fairfax Co, VA north of Gunston Hall where Sears had been indentured to George Mason. When Daniel French died, George Mason took over as executor and as administer of the accounts from 1771 until 1774. From 1772 until 1774 Sears worked at Pohick Church with his daughter's father-in-law Going Lanphier, a skilled joiner. During this period records show Sears was paid over forty-one pounds. Forty percent of his salary went to other people for debts; for example he paid for carver and gilder's tools and paid monies on his bond to George Mason.

The 10 Jul 1773 "Invoice of Goods to be Shipped by Robt Cary Esqr. & Co. for the use of George Washington—Potomk River Virga" included "6 Books of best leaf gold." This gold leaf was probably for the new Pohick Church. On 25 Feb 1774 the minutes of the Truro vestry recorded: "Ordered that William Bernard Sears gild the Ornaments within the Tabernacle Frames, the Palm Branch and Drapery on the Front of the Pulpit (also the Eggs on the Cornice of the small Frames if the Gold will hold out) which he agrees to do for Three pounds ready Money, to be done with the Gold Leaf, given to the Parish by Colo. George Washington." (Vestry Book of Truro Parish, Fairfax Co, VA 1731–1802; manuscript at the Library of Congress.)

Sears beautifully carved the Pohick Church interior chancel woodwork which most likely included nonsurviving alterpieces, pulpit with a canopy and sacrement furniture. Sears gilded the ornamentation on the pulpit for three pounds. He supposedly carved his initials "WB" on top of one of the original columns. The pulpit canopy was topped by his carved dove springing to flight. The vestry believed Sears' price for the gilded dove carving was too steep, and Sears supposedly replied, "Well, Gentlemen, if you refuse to pay my price, I will take it down, put breath in it and set the bird to singing." The vestry paid his price.

Pohick Church's woodwork interior was destroyed during the Civil War when it was stripped and used as a stable. Pieces of wood work attributed to Sears were returned to Pohick Church in the 1900s. In 1988 a Sears descendant returned the original carved dove, which was mutilated during the war, and the dove is displayed in the church annex.

Sears also did painting, glass cutting and glazing work on the Pohick Church. In 1774 Sears was selected by the Truro Parish vestry to furnish then Colonel George Washington with patterns so that Washington could import crimson velvet and gold fringe for ceremonial cushions and cloths for the church.

Gen. George Washington decided as early as the fall of 1773 to put two additions on his Mount Vernon mansion in Fairfax Co, VA and employed Sears and Going Lanphier soon after Pohick Church was completed. Sears and Lanphier expanded, remodeled and decorated Washington's home. The work on the chimneypiece in the dining room, which adjoined the southern addition, was apparently the responsibility of William Bernard Sears. Sears was known at the plantation as one who could make anything out of wood. Washington wrote a letter on 20 Aug 1775 from military camp at Cambridge, MA to his overseer and cousin Lund Washington indicating, "I wish you would quicken Lanphiere & Sears about the dining room chimney piece (to be executed as mentioned in one of my last letters) as I could wish that [southern] end of the house completely finished before I return." On 29 Sep 1775 Washington's overseer wrote, "Sears is Still here about the Chimney piece. I supposed he will finish it next week, you no doubt think him long about it, so do I, but I can assure you he is Constantly at worck [sic] -- I think you never Intended such a one & must have been mistaken in the look of the Draught of the Chimney piece."

Rains began in August and continued for three months causing Sears to be home ill for more than a month during much of Oct 1775 and delaying completion of the work. On 5, 15 and 22 Oct 1775 Lund wrote Gen Washington saying Sears was very sick and had about a weeks' work left on carving the chimney piece.

Sears returned in late fall and completed carving the small dining room chimney piece; the result was a masterpiece which his personal techniques and skill brought brilliantly to life. The sumptuous carved and plastered chimney is among the most elaborate of the period in America, and the chimney piece was unquestionably the finest work in the home. For pure dramatic effect, nothing matched the dining room. In 1775 Sears altered some of the Mount Vernon plasterwork to be more harmonious with his dining room carvings. Sears also provided the design for the elaborate carved plaster dining room ceiling, which was executed over a lengthy period by a plasterman.

On 10 Dec 1775 Lund wrote Gen Washington stating "I think the dineg Room very Pretty -- Sears is now here painting. He has Painted the Dineg Room twice over and the new Room once -- Since Mrs Washington went away we have been trying to Cure the Chimney from Smokeg [pouring smoke into the room because of insuffient draft up the chimney] ... from the Seller, new Room & dineg Room...." In 1775 Sears was paid over twenty-two pounds for his work, but it is not known if this was full or partial payment.

According to family records, Sears built many public and private edifices over the next forty years, yet none of this later work has yet been identified. In 1777 Sears entered public service after being appointed Deputy Sheriff of Loudoun Co, VA until 1781 and, according to Gunston Hall researchers, he apparently stopped working as a master carver about that time. On 12 Aug 1777 he was appointed deputy sheriff and again took the oath on 15 Aug 1780 (Loudoun County Court Order Book G: 51, 118, 261). He acted as Deputy Sheriff until 15 May 1781.

Sears settled near Centreville, which was once known as Newgate in Fairfax Co, VA. He offered twenty pounds reward in the 12 Aug 1784 Virginia Journal and Alexandria Advertiser newspaper for a black man named Ellick, also called Alexander Lucas, should he be returned to Sears near Rockey Run Church in Loundon Co, VA. In 1785 he was on the Fairfax Co census with a total of 8 living at home in one dwelling and four other buildings on his property. In 1786 Sears was noted as being of Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay. Sears was a Federalist and opposed the War of 1812.

On 26 Aug 1786 Sears' case against William Pierce and Samuel Bayly, executors of William Bayly went to trial. The jury found the defendants guilty and assessed damages of £23.14.4.3 and also his costs to be levied from the estate or from the defendants. Although William won his case, it cost him 2,395 pound of tobacco in witness expenses alone, so hopefully that cost was paid by the Bayly executors. Sears was ordered to pay Robert Boggess 625 pounds tobacco for attending court as a witness for 25 days; a Robert Boggess was a sawyer who worked for Sears' daughter's father-in-law Going Lanphier in the 1750s. Sears also had to pay Henry Darne 150 pounds tobacco for attending court for 6 days. Unfortunately Sears also had to pay Benjamin C. Payne 1,620 pounds tobacco for "eight times coming & returning from Loudoun 30 miles and attending 36 days as an evidence against Bayly's Executors."

On 16 Jul 1793 in Harden vs Steel, Steel was ordered to pay William Sears for attending court for two days -- "... once coming and returning from Loudoun 20 miles...." Although Sears was living in Loudoun Co in 1793, he was called for jury duty in Fairfax Co and failing to appear was fined $8 on 22 Aug 1797; this item was later stricken from the minute book.

On 17 Nov 1801 in the case of Reid Browne vs William B. Sears, George Whaley was Spl bail which might bave meant serving as Sears' security. On 19 Mar 1807 Nancy Reid was in court against William's son Charles L. Sears.

In 1800 William's namesake son was age 15 and given that an underage boy would not be conducting business in court the following record transcribed as "junior" likely said "senior." On 22 Apr 1800 a lawsuit entitled Sears vs Neale was continued and concluded on 22 Jul 1800 with a judgment for "£2.8.6 Ex'on to be stay'd til Oct. Court." On 18 May 1801 a deed from Thomas Neale to Daniel Lewis, Henry Gunnell, Thomas Gunnell, William Gunnell, James Gunnell and John Stanhope was proved by the oath of William Sears Junr, Lewin Jonas and John Carrol and the rec't thereon endorsed was proved by the oath of William Sears Junr & ordered to be recorded.

On 19 Mar 1807 Peter Jett brought a suit against William B. Sears and Chas L. Sears. William agreed with the note and interest. On 16 Mar 1808 Richard Radcliffe, administrator of Calb Earp deceased, vs William Evans, William B. Sears and William Vallandingham.

Sears' 2 and 4 May 1818 obituaries noted William's death at home in Fairfax Co, VA on 27 Apr at age 87, a native of England, and that he "... contributed by his efforts, as well as by his astonishing mechanical talents, to the independence of the country, and that character it so justly deserves, for being a century in advance of Europe in the mechanical arts. Mr. Sears lived for a considerable time in the family of Col. George Mason of Gunston, who ever spoke of him in terms of the highest respect, and his good name is yet upheld by his descendants. Mr. Sears has reared and educated a large family of children, who will transmit their father's fair name to posterity. Peace be to the names of those men, who, leaving the oppressions of feudal Europe, have planted scions in this land of liberty, where every man can sit under the shadow of his own vine and fig tree and can say there is none to hurt us." William was reportedly buried in Alexandria, VA.

Five of Sears' brothers also came to America and settled in various parts of the country -- some in New England and some in the South, according to his granddaughter Mary Roberts Lanphier. One of Sears' brothers is believed to have settled on Poplar Island in the Chesapeake Bay about 1755 and to have been the progenitor of the Maryland Searses. Nothing is known of Sears' parents. He is said to have been a cousin of Gen Charles Lee through his maternal ancestor and Lee's mother, but given that Sears came to America as a prisoner and Lee's mother Isabella Bunbury was from an aristocratic family, this is very unlikely; perhaps one of the other William Sears born about the same time in England is related to Lee.

In Fairfax Co court order and minute books show there were other men named Sears in the county, such as Thomas Sears, but it is not known if Thomas was related to William. On 18 Mar 1763 the lawsuit of Ballentine and Company vs Sears began; noted on 23 Mar 1764 with the notation ord. vs Deft & sec'y; on 19 Aug 1765 is marked as continued, and on 22 Jun 1769 John Ballentine and Company against Thomas Sears is dismissed. On 18 Aug 1772 Thomas Sears was exempted from paying levys in the future, so he must be elderly or infirm. In a different lawsuit it was not possible to figure out the full name of the plaintiff: on 23 Mar 1764 the lawsuit of Glassford and Company vs Sears with judg't confirmed & w't of inquiry; it was continued on 18 May 1764 with the decision of judgement for costs. By 20 Mar 1807 some of the lawsuits could be those of either William, his sons or other Sears families: "Carters exor vs Sears & Lane – on the Defts motion Writ of Inquiry set aside and payment pleaded and Gen’l replication and Issue and cont’d."


Detailed sources:

--The Papers of George Washington, et al, Founders Online, National Archives, http://founders.archives.gov/index.xqy?q=lanohire&s=1111211111&sa=&r=1&sr=.
--Patricia Duncan, Fairfax Co, VA 1749-1808 Minute and Court Orders Abstracts, Heritage Books, 5810 Ruatan St, Berwyn Heights, MD, 20740, softcopy, 2013 (source for Simon Pearson court records below using the page numbers from the abstracts, not the original)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1783-1788 Order Book, 26 Aug 1786, p. 104; 26 Aug 1786, p. 103 (William Bernard Sears vs William Pierce and Samuel Bayley, executors of William Bayly; Boggess, Darne, Payne witnesses)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1791-1793 Minute Book, 16 Jul 1793, p. 87 (Harden vs Steel; William Sears witness)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1797-1798 Minute Book, 22 Aug 1797, p. 23 (William B. Sears called to jury duty; later stricken from record)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1801 Minute Book, 18 May 1801, p. 13 (William Sears junior proved deed in Neale to et al)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1801 Minute Book, 17 Nov 1801, p. 57 (Reid Browne vs William B. Sears)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1807-1808 Minute Book, 19 Mar 1807, p. 20 (Peter Jett vs William B. Sears and Chas L. Sears)
--Fairfax Co, VA 1807-1808 Minute Book, 16 Mar 1808, p. 122 (Radcliffe vs William B. Sears, William Evans, William Vallandingham)
--Pohick Church, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pohick_Church#Construction_of_the_present_church (Sears' carving work)
--Master Carver: William Bernard Sears, Gunston Hall Plantation, http://gunstonhall.org/mansion/master_carver.html
--Architect-Designed Furniture in Eighteenth-Century Virginia: The Work of William Buckland and William Bernard Sears, Luke Beckerdite, http://www.chipstone.org/article.php/26/American-Furniture-1994/Architect-Designed-Furniture-in-Eighteenth-Century-Virginia:-The-Work-of-William-Buckland-and-William-Bernard-Sears.

Children of William Bernard Sears I and Elizabeth Young Whaley

Citations

  1. [S56] Paul Wilstach (1870-1952), Mount Vernon Home.
  2. [S57] Philip Slaughter (1808-1890) and Edward Lewis Goodwin (1855-1924), Truro Parish History.
  3. [S60] Thomas Tileston Waterman, Mansions of Virginia.
  4. [S75] Stephen P. Dorsey, Ralph Cole Hall, Deering Davis, Alexandria Houses 1750 - 1830.
  5. [S173] Susan Annie Plaskett, Plain Family.
  6. [S174] "Buckland and Sears."
  7. [S137] Daniel French Estate, Fairfax County, VA, Will Book 1.
  8. [S181] Luke Beckerdite, William Sears Career.
  9. [S199] Samuel Pearce May (b. 1828), Richard Sares (Sears) Descendants.
  10. [S239] "Rebuilding Menokin."
  11. [S279] Reviving Gunston Hall, 25 Feb 1999.
  12. [S3] "Elizabeth Harriet Perry Research."
  13. [S375] Augusta Co, VA Marriages.
  14. [S257] Wallace Nutting, Furniture Treasury.
  15. [S251] "Mount Airy and Menokin."
  16. [S330] Lee Baldwin Dalzell, Robert F. Dalzell, Mount Vernon.
  17. [S331] William Bernard Sears Obituary, 2 May 1818.
  18. [S364] Dorothy and Richard Pratt, Early American Homes.
  19. [S83] Louis Martin Research.
  20. [S559] "William Buckland."
  21. [S402] William Sears Family Records.
  22. [S601] Wesley E. Pippenger, Alexandria Newspaper Notices.