1714 - 1764
Wigan, Lancashire - Chesterfield County, Virginia
James, probably the eldest son of Samuel Bayley and Lucy Dodge, was born in Wigan, Lancashire, England on 24 October 1714. He married Lucy Simms, probably before 1735 (when their first child was born), and possibly in Wigan. They emigrated to America sometime soon afterward if not, indeed, before - the first record of him in America is in 1736, in Henrico County, Virginia, on a sheriff's bond.
James Bailey Dr. 1736. 1 Levy. Store debt. Mr. Cary's debt. A bond due.
Paid 75 lbs tobo. by Jno. Pride, Jr. 74 lbs tobo. pd by John Worsham in 1736 etc.
John Pride , junr. Dr. 1737. . . . To. . .James Bailey . . . 75 lbs. tobo. for 3 days attendance.
Ronnie K. Bailey, The Bailey Family: Ancestors and Descendants of George Patton Bailey . . . . [ed. by Netti Schreiner- Yantis], ( S.l.: The Bailey Family Foundation, 1999), p.5.
He may have established himself in Henrico County immediately upon arrival from England, or he may have lived closer to the mouth of the James River. "The Daniel family, into which one of his daughters married, had lived in Isle of Wight County prior to emigrating to Chesterfield and there were Baileys with the same given names who settled in Isle of Wight very early. Since families frequently migrated as groups and intermarried, this could be the case with the Baileys and Daniels, but the records of Isle of Wight fail to provide proof of this." (Bailey Family, p 5-6)
Henrico County is (now) on the northern side of the James River, right by Richmond. In 1749, part of Henrico County became Chesterfield County, which (now) is located on the southern bank of the James. It is in Chesterfield County that most of the records concerning James Bailey are found. Also living in the same area were the Clays and Belchers (or Belshers) into which families the Baileys frequently married.
There is no record of James buying land - although his sons did, nor is there any indication of his occupation. (Just because he was paid in tobacco does not mean he grew it - it was used as currency in early times in Virginia.) He is included in the 1761 tax list for Chesterfield County, listed between Richard Belsher and Charles Clay, which is the location of his sons' land, so possibly he lived with them?
He and Lucy had five children:
Richard, born 22 August 1735, possibly in Wigan (our next ancestor)
(married Elizabeth Anne Belsher)
Benjamin, born 1736 in Henrico County, Virginia - stayed in Chesterfield - census 1783
(married Sarah unknown)
James, born 1738 in Henrico County, Virginia - stayed in Chesterfield - census 1783
(married twice - 1st Elizabeth Lockett, 2nd Elizabeth Unknown)
Elizabeth, born 1742 in Henrico County, Virginia
(married Unknown Melton or Mellon)
Mary, born 1744 in Henrico County, Virginia
(married Peter Daniel)
His will was presented for probate in 1764, so presumably he died sometime before then. Walter Bailey (Bailey Coulter archives) says he died 4 Feb 1764, and is buried in the small family cemetery on the farm of James jr.
Will - Chesterfield County, Will Book 1, p. 331
In the name of God amen. This 16th day of March, 1762, I, James Bailey, being of perfect mind do make this last will and testament.
Item: I give to my son, Benjamin, one shilling sterling.
Item: I give to my son, James Bailey, one shilling sterling.
Item: I give to my son, Richard Bailey, one shilling sterling.
Item: I give to my dau. Elizabeth Melton, one shilling sterling.
Item: I give to my dau., Mary Daniel, one shilling sterling.
I give the remainder of my estate after expenses are paid to my well beloved wife Lucy Bailey. I also desire that there be no appraisement or inventory of my estate.
Witnesses: Stephen Russell James IB Bailey
Jacob Ashwurt his mark
Richard Moore
Will presented Feb 4, 1764
another version - posted on the Lusk Connection website. mostly spelling differences.
Will of James Bailey 1762
In the name of God Amen this sixteenth day of March in the year of our Lord Christ one thousand seven Hundred and sixty two, I James Baley of Chesterfield County being sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following:
Imprimus.
I give and bequeath unto my son Benjamin Baley one shilling sterling.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son James Baley one shilling sterling.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my son Richard Baley one shilling sterling.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Mellon one shilling sterling.
Item. I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Mary Daniel one shilling sterling.
Item. All the Remainder of my Estate after my just Debts are paid and funeral expences defrayed I give and bequeath unto my well beloved wife Lucy Baley to be by her enjoyed and disposed of as she shall think fitt. I also desire that there may be no appraisment nor Inventory taken of my Estate vocating making Null and void all other and former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my Seal the and year above Written.
Signed Sealed & Published his
James 1B Bailey
mark
In presences of
Stephen Russel
Richard Moore
Jacob WheresJames Bailey died February 4th, 1764 in Chesterfield Co. Virginia.
The Will of James Bailey was recorded at the Chesterfield County Courthouse, Will Book # 1, pg 331.
It is not known exactly when Lucy Simms Bailey died. Certainly after James, since she is mentioned in his will. One researcher says it was after 1810, and that she was probably living with son James at the time. (I assume that means there was an older woman with James in the 1810 census.)
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contact me at: lee@leesgenes.com
page last updated 4 September 2004