Gatewood, Elizabeth

Summary

Father: Richard Gatewood
Mother: Patience Reeves

Birth: after 1724, Essex County, Virginia
Birth Source: Still a minor in 1745 when her mother, Patience, died.

Death: after April 1780, probably Henry County, Virginia
Death Source: Henry County VA Deed, DB 2, p. 95

Spouse1: Peter Copeland

Narrative

Children of Elizabeth Gatewood and Peter Copeland:

1. Charles Copland, b. c1756
2. Elizabeth Copeland, b. c1758, m. Richard Stockton 1781
3. Richard Copeland, b. c1760 (above age 16 in 1767), m. Sarah Dunn
4. Clarissa Copeland, b. c1760, m. John Goodall

Elizabeth is named as a daughter of Patience Reeves Gatewood in her 1745 Essex County will. John Hunt made bond and was appointed as guardian of Elizabeth's estate in March of 1745 presumably based upon the death of her father, Richard Gatewood, since her mother, Patience, was still living at the time. Patience wrote her will on the 17th of Jun 1745 and it was not probated until November of that year. The fact that a guardian was appointed for Elizabeth indicates that she was under the age of 21 and had not reached full maturity.

Various online sources list the spouse of Elizabeth Gatewood as Peter Copeland. Although thus far no primary source document has been discovered where that marriage was recorded, the 1753 will of George Reeves does name her as Elizabeth Copeland and also appoints her husband Peter Copeland as one of his executors.

When Elizabeth and Peter Copeland left the Essex County area in Virginia, they are said to have lived in North Carolina for a brief period. That theory appears to be corroborated by the 1755 tax list of Orange County, North Carolina which lists Richard Copeland as a taxpayer there. There are also several deeds from 1778 and 1779 wherein Peter purchased land south of the Eno River in 1778 and sold it in 1779. There are also Orange County deeds for a Charles Copeland who was probably a close relative of Peter for he was a witness in several 1766 deeds by Charles Copeland.

On 17 Jul 1767, Peter Copeland was listed as a tithable in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, Richard Copeland, presumably his son, is also listed as his tithe that year . Peter was one of the first Justices of Peace for Pittsylvania County and lived in that portion of the county which later became Henry.

On March 27, 1777, Peter Copeland conveyed the first of many deeds in Henry County, Virginia to William Blevins - 120 acres on the waters of Bever Creek in for sixty pounds Virginia currency. [Henry County VA DB:1 p:31]

Elizabeth Copeland was listed repeatedly in the court and deed records of Henry County during the 1770's up until 1780 when a deed dated 20th of April, 1780 indicated that she was unable to travel to and from the court to sign a dower release. The deed records statements by witnesses that Elizabeth did relinquish her right of dower to the one thousand acre tract being conveyed by Peter Copeland in that deed. [Henry VA DB:2 p:95]

Elizabeth and Peter Copeland both appear to have been deceased by 1790 when Charles Copland of Richmond City, Virginia as executor of Peter Copland was settling his estate. [Henry VA DB:4 p276]

A court case filed in 1793 pertaining to the disposition of a large tract of land conveyed to Amos Strettel by William Black the elder regarding 7675 acres of land in Henry county that William Black had purchased of Peter Copeland continued in the courts for many years. The case was eventually heard by the Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals who ruled on it in 1836.

From Colonial Virginia Source Records, 1600-1700s, p.74
Abstracts from 18th Century Virginia Newspapers, Surnames C-D
COPLAND, Peter, of Charles City Co, dec’d his plant. there to be sold by his ex., Charles Copland (VGgAA 13 Dec 83)
COPLAND, Richard, apparently of Henry Co., mentioned in HCC case, 14 Mar 1793 as the eld. Son and heir to Peter Copland dec’d. (VGGA 24 Apr 93)

Research Notes

Charles Copeland of the City of Richmond, Virginia was the executor of the will of Peter Copeland and is believed to be one of his children but the relationship will remain undocumented until the will of Peter Copeland is found.

Sources

1745 Will of Patience Gatewood, Essex County Will Book 7, pgs 389,390,391
1745 Guardianship of Elizabeth Gatewood, Essex County VA Will Book 7, pg. 424-425
1753 Will of George Reeves, Spotsylvania County VA Will Book B, pgs 183-184
Henry County VA Deed, DB 2, p. 95
Abstracts from 18th Century Virginia Newspapers, Surnames C-D