Mary Adkins

Notes:

Birth:
alt birth as 5 Sep 1735 Jamestown Colony, Goochland Co, VA
alt birth as 12 Oct 1735 Richland, Goochland Co, VA


Died:
unmarked grave at mouth of Bowen's Creek (is right at the county line between Cabell County and Wayne County)

Mary married Jacob Stover, Jr.. Jacob (son of Jacob Stover, Sr. and Sarah Boone) was born about 1717 in VA; died est 1780-1789 in Henry Co, VA. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Married:
• Per researcher, Ralph Adkins, Jacob Stover & Mary Adkins were both in Snow Creek District of Lunenberg Co, VA in 1754; which is also the birth year for Mary's oldest child, David Adkins.

• DNA evidence suggests that Jacob Stover, Jr. was the father of Mary's children (him being at least the most likely candidate).
• If that is true however, it is unclear why Mary's children bore the Adkins name.



Regarding suppositions of a common law marriage between Mary Adkins and either Jacob Harley or Jacob Oxford: Common Law Marriage has never been recognized in Virginia or West Virginia. Only in certain documented out of state common law marriages does West Virginia recognize certain rights along with certain previous out of state domicile and other requirements. (per some legal opinions given online)

• DNA results suggest that the father of Mary Adkins' son, Jacob, was an Oxford.
• If that is true however, it is unclear why Mary's children bore the Adkins name.

---

• Earl of Oxford Story - Analysis by Doug Couch

Note in brief clarification related to the allegation that Jacob Harley was the "Earl of Oxford" by Doug Couch, owner of this website:

This family legend seems to be unfounded. One website (site not recorded) which cited this "title" stated that it was a term of endearment, rather than a bona fide English title. This is a more likely scenario.

The earliest Earls of Oxford (20) all lived too early to have been the father of a Jacob Harley married to Mary Adkins, except perhaps the last, Aubrey de Vere, the 20th Earl of Oxford, rather than the 3rd as often cited as Jacob's father. Records from peerage show both those Earls who succeeded to the position, and those who did not. The Earls of Oxford held the position from 1110-1703.

Also called Earl of Oxford, were the Earls of Oxford and Earl Mortimer. The time period for these Earls is more compatible with the Jacob legend, holding the position from 1661-1853. Of these,
   • the 1st Earl was Robert Harley (1661-1724) who had two sons: Edward & Robert (who died in infancy);
   • the 2nd Earl, Edward Harley (1689-1741) son of Robert (1st Earl) who had only one son, Henry (who died in infancy). Edward failing providing a male heir, was succeeded by his first cousin, Edward Harley (3rd Earl);
   • the 3rd Earl, Edward Harley (1699-1755) cousin of Edward 2nd Earl, had three sons:
      • Edward Harley 4th Earl, (1726-1790) who died without issue and failing providing a male heir was succeeded by his nephew Edward Harley 5th Earl and son of John Harley,
      • John (father of Edward the 5th Earl), and
      • Thomas (Mayor of London).
   • the 5th Earl Edward Harley (1773-1848).

None of these more contemporary Earls' nor any of their sons were named Jacob. This does not prove there was no Jacob son; however, it "may" indicate that if such a son existed, he was illegitimate and not in line for the Earldom and yet could have had substantial wealth.

There were also the Earls of Oxford and Asquith from 1852 to the present day. These Earls were all born too late to have a son named Jacob married to Mary.

If Jacob was known to be a descendant or other relative of an Earl of Oxford, and thus lovingly called an Earl by his family, no connection has been shown. One or two authors of genealogy works have cited him as such, but unless someone produces the basis of such a citation, it has no value.

If there had been a Jacob, Earl of Oxford, or a Jacob in line to become Earl of Oxford, it is unlikely he would run off to North America and abandon such a vast wealth, and there are protocols and expectations involved. It is also unlikely that such a man would have a son, Jacob (Jr.), who would inherit all this wealth and then ignore it in favor of a trip across the Allegheny's, as is sometimes also part of the family legend. Whether a term of endearment or simply a wild family tale, there is little reason to accept it as a fact. If Jacob returned to England, where is the record of such a voyage, as there surely would be one?

• View Previously posted stories information

It is not proven what the last name of Jacob was; some say it was Harley, others called him Jacob Oxford, but that was not his name.

From Family notes of Virginia Pierce, 290 Gardenia Dr. N, Salem, OR 97303, is listed:
"Mary Adkins is the mother of Jacob Adkins, who married Phoebe Bradshaw. There are several stories about the marriage of Mary Adkins and Jacob __________. We are not sure what his last name is. Some say it is Harley. However, it seems to be a fact that he was sent to America as a tax collector for the crown. They had seven children. Mary's brothers did not like him and fought with him. He was supposed to be the son of an English Earl - the Earl of Oxford. Some people called him Jacob Oxford, but that was not his name. When the Revolutionary War arose, he was called back to England and he did not take Mary and their children wit h him. He never returned to America. When he died he left some money for Mary and the children, but they would have had to go to England and present their claim for it, so they never received anything. Mary raised her family alone and they all turned out to be good people. The children all took their mother's name ADKINS."

children
David
Mark
John
Christina
Jacob Oxford
Sherrod
Nancy

REFN: 1136
From Adkins Family History:
"Mary death is calculated between 1814-20 in Cabell Co. She is buried in an unmarked grave on Beech Fork at the mouth of Bowen's Creek. She settled in land that was granted to her oldest son David for his service in the Revolutionary war. David himself settled in what is today Lawrence Co. Kentucky on land that he also had been granted for Revolutionary service. On Ancestor Chart of Virginia Pierce, it lists Mary Adkins as born 5 Sep 1735 in Cabell Co., Virginia" [huffmanjr.ged]

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[1247726.ftw]
"Mary Adkins is the mother of almost all Adkins descendants of Southwestern West Virginia. With most family researchers her descendants make up the so-called "Royal Line". This Royal Line theory comes from the family oral tradition that Mary lived common law with a descendant of the Earl of Oxford. According to the tradition, he deserted Mary and her children during the Revolutionary War and returned to England. Because the family name of the person that held the title 'Earl of Oxford' during the mid 1700s was Harley it was assumed by almost all researchers that this man's name was Jacob Harley. Mary Adkins is buried in an unmarked grave on Beech Fork at the mouth of Bowen's Creek."

1. David Adkins was born about 1754 in Snow Dist, Lunenburg Co, VA; died about 1832 in Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY; was buried in Louisa, Lawrence Co, KY.
2. Mark Adkins was born about 1756 in Halifax Co, VA; died in 1778 in Henry Co, VA.
3. Christina Adkins was born on 5 Jan 1759 in Halifax Co, VA; died in 1822 in Beech Fork, Cabell Co, VA; was buried in 1822 in The Old Family Cemetery Near the Mouth of Bowen's Creek, Beech Fork, Cabell Co, VA.
4. Jacob Oxford Adkins was born about 1761 in Snow Creek, Halifax Co, VA; died on 20 Sep 1857 in Wayne Co, VA.
5. John Adkins was born about 1763 in Halifax Co, VA; and died.
6. Sherrod Adkins was born on 2 Mar 1765 in Halifax Co, VA; died on 12 Jan 1854 in Wayne Co, VA.
7. Nancy Adkins was born about 1767 in Pittsylvania Co, VA; died on 18 Jan 1846 in Lick Creek, Greenbrier Co, VA; was buried on 21 Jan 1846 in Community Memorial Gardens Cemetery, East Lynn, Wayne Co, WV.

Notes:

VIEW MISC. UNDOCUMENTED NOTES

For information on descendants...
http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=DESC&db=hagerj&id=I30050

In accordance with the Mormon Church at Salt Lake City, Utah, a William Adkins was born on March 28, 1689, and was as son of John and Elizabeth Bromwell Adkins, of Sandy, Bedford, England. Our proven William Adkins (Adkinson) was said to have been born about 1690, which is about the same as March 28, 1689. Based on the above, we concluded that the William Adkinson, son of John and Elizabeth Bromwell, born on March 28, 1689, and William born about 1690, are the one and same person. Assuming this to be true (at least until so meone, some time can prove differently), we are listing our Adkins relatives or progenitors as originating in England.

Possible ancestry of William V. Atkinson:

Using number 1, as Henry Adkins, born about 1530, who married Francis Edwards, born about 1535, who could have bee n a descendant of William Adekyn of County, Somerset Shire, England, who was born about 1327, and died about 1377.

Number 2, Thomas Adkins (son), born February 6, 1584, in Sandy Bedford, England, and married Hester Frasure.

Number 3, Thomas, born about 1610, in Sandy, Bedford, England, and married Agnes (unknown) Adkins, born about 1615.

Number 4, John Adkins (Adekyn or Adkinson), born April 7, 1639, in Bedford England, and married Elizabeth Bromwell.

Number 5, William Adkins (Adekyn or Adkinson), born March 28, 1689, married Elizabeth Parker, on January 17, 1716, in the Saint James Episcopal Church in Henrico County, Virginia. Elizabeth Parker was the daughter of Richard and Mitha Parker. St. John's Episcopal Church is located near Richmond, Virginia. During this early time period the church was some distance from the city, but as Richmond grew the new developments surrounded the church until the church became part of the city of Richmond. It was in St. John's that Patrick Henry in 1775 gave his famous "give me liberty or give me death speech.

Elizabeth's father, Richard Parker, indicated the marriage of his daughter, Elizabeth Parker to William Atkinson (Adkins) in his "will" dated Mar. 6, 1726 in Henrico County, Virginia. Richard and Mitha Parker lived on "Four Mile Creek", in Henrico County, Virginia. William and Elizabeth lived on Machumps Creek on the Savannah River and later moved to the Pigg River in Virginia.



REFN: 1143

[huffmanjr.ged]
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[1247726.ftw]
Updated Feb. 18, 2000.
Bio of William Adkins of 1689.
In accordance with the Mormon Church at Salt Lake City, Utah, a William Adkins was born on March 28, 1689, and was a son of John and Elizabeth Bromwell Adkins, of Sandy, Bedford, England. Our proven William Adkins (Adkinson) was said to have been born about 1690, which is about the same as March 28, 1689. Based on the above, we conclude that the William Adkinson, son of John and Elizabeth Bromwell, born on March 28, 1689, and William born about 1690, are the one and same person. Assuming this to be true (at least until someone, some time can prove differently), we are listing our Adkins relatives or progenitors as originating in England.

Using number 1, as Henry Adkins, born about 1530, who married Francis Edwards, born about 1535, who could have been a descendant of William Adekyn of County, Somerset Shire, England, who was born about 1327, and died about 1377.

Number2, Thomas Adkins (son), born February 6, 1584, in Sandy Bedford, England, and married Hester Frasure.

Number 3, Thomas, born about 1610, in Sandy, Bedford, England, and married Agnes (unknown) Adkins, born about 1615.

Number 4, John Adkins (Adekyn or Adkinson), born April 7, 1639, in Bedford England, and married Elizabeth Bromwell.

Number 5, William Adkins (Adekyn or Adkinson), born March 28, 1689, married Elizabeth parker, on January 17, 1716, in the saint James Episcopal Church in Henrico County, Virginia. Elizabeth parker wasthe daughter of Richard and Mitha parker. St. John's Episcopal Church is located near Richmond, Virginia. During this early time period the church wassome distance from the city, but as Richmond grew the new developments surrounded the church until the church became part of the city of Richmond. It was in St. John's that Patrick Henry in 1775 gave his famous "give me liberty or give me death speech.

Elizabeth's father, Richard Parker, indicated the marriage of his daughter, Elizabeth Parker to William Atkinson (Adkins) inhis "will" dated Mar. 6, 1726 in Henrico County, Virginia. Richard and Mitha Parker lived on "Four Mile Creek", in Henrico County, Virginia. William and Elizabeth lived on Machumps Creek on the Savannah River and later moved to the Pigg River in Virginia.

William Adekyn, Adkinson, or Adkins, and Elizabeth Parker had the following children:

1. Richard Adkins, born c. 1717 in Henrico County, Virginia and is said to have moved to Tenn., in 1790.

2. Parker Adkins, born 1720, in Henrico County, Virginia, and died c. 1792 in Montgomery County, Virginia, which was Giles County in 1806. He married a Mary (Polly) Fry. Parker Adkins severed in the Revolutionary War.

3. William Adkins, Jr., born c. 1721, in Henrico County, Virginia and died between 01-20-1784, and 03-15-1784. He married Lydia Owens, who was born c. 1724, in 1745,and died before 1782. Lydia Owens was the daughter of William and Lydia Lansford Owens.

4. Jacob Adkins, born c. 1725, in Henrico County, Virginia, and married Judah (unknown) Adkins.

5. Joseph Adkins, had four proven children,but the name of his wife is unknown. Based upon the birth date of Jacob andSherwood, Joseph was probably born around 1726 or 1727.

6. Sherwood (Sherrod), Adkins, born c. 1728, and married Sally (probably Lucas), around 1760, and lived at Clear Fork, of Wolf Creek, Virginia, that became West Virginia in 1863. Sherwood Adkins was the father of Isaac Adkins, Sr. Born c. 1780 and died on March 29, 1860, and Isaac married on may 6, 1804, to Elizabeth Hager, born c. 1780, in Baltimore, Maryland, daughter of Jacob and Sally Hager. Isaac Adkins, Sr. And Elizabeth Hager had a son named Isaac Adkins, Jr. Born in 1804, in Virginia, in accordance with the Carter County, Kentucky 1850 census.

7. Henry Adkins, born c. 1730, and marr (note from which this was taken was truncated and ended here)

VIEW INFORMATION SUGGESTING INCORRECT LINEAGE

From email received from Penni Brough:

Comments (William V. Adkins b. 28 Mar 1689 Henrico Co, VA d. Abt 1774 Henrico Co, VA): I've been doing some research in the county records for Bedfordshire, Eng. and would like to make some corrections to the William Adkins line.

1. John Adkins (supposed father of William Adkins) was married to Elizabeth Bromsall not Elizabeth Bromwell.
2. John and Elizabeth had a son William chr. 28 Mar 1689, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng. not Henrico Co. Va.
3. John Adkins, Elizabeth Bromsall Adkins and William Adkins their son all died in Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.

The records show:
1. John Adkins m. Elizabeth Bromsall 4 Jun 1665, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng
2. William Adkins chr. 28 Mar 1689, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.
3. John Adkins d. 17 Dec 1692, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.
4. Elizabeth Adkins d. 17 May 1699, Sandy Bedfordshire, Eng - Widow
5. William Adkins d. 9 Sep 1704, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng - Orphan

As far as the Adkins line further back:
1. There is a Thomas Adkins chr. 2 Jun 1584 son of Henry in Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.
2. There is no record of a Thomas Adkins marrying Hester Frasure. There is a Thomas Adkins m. Joan Stevenson 1 Aug 1599. Thomas Atkinson m Mary Freeman 1 Nov 1599. Thomas Atkyns m. Joan Birdsley 10 May 1613. Thomas Adkins m. Rebecca Lenge 8 May 1617. No marriages in Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.
3. There is no marriage record for Thomas Adkins m. Agnes. That information comes from John Adkins' christening record. There is Thomas Adkins m. Margery Foster 2 Dec 1621 and Thomas Adkins m. Ann Underwood 16 Oct 1623. There are no John Adkins marriages for that time period. No marriages close to the 1638 christening date of John Adkins and John seems to be the only child of Thomas and Agnes. No Adkins marriages in Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng
4. John Adkins chr. 7 Apr 1639, Sandy, Bedfordshire, Eng.

Penni Brough
broughps@aol.com

Note: This type research is valuable, and yet needs additional detail provided such as (for each person, couple, event or item researched and found with or without details):

• Information found: when, what resource, section, page, or image number


• Statement of not found, including: when, what resources, section, page or image number


• Search(es) cited were done: in person, in electronic databases, and what collections were researched


Thanks to Penni and others who spend much time helping us clarify these matters. – Doug Couch, Site Owner

Name:
(Adkins in this family also given as Atkins & Atkinson)

Birth:

I've found no documentation of parents for William V. Adkins (Atkins, Atkinson). Long-standing information of his parents as John Thomas Adkins, Jr. and Elizabeth Bromwell (presented on this site and many others for many years) have contradicting evidence suggesting these were not his parents.

The William Atkins/Adkins born 28 March 1689, was born in Sandy, Bedfordshire, England and was buried there 9 September 1704, preceded by both his parents, who were also buried there (i.e.-not in Virginia).
(full volume available at archive.org)

William Atkins, son of John Adkins, England
(but not William V. Adkins, Sr. of Virginia)

Notes:

children
Richard Adkins
Parker V. Adkins
William V. Adkins
Joseph Adkins
Jacob Adkins
Sherwood "Sherrod"
Henry Adkins
Elizabeth Ann Atkinson
Mary Adkins

REFN: 1144
:
From Family notes of Virginia Pierce: "Elizabeth Parker is the daughter
of Richard Parker and Mitha of England. She married 17 Jan 1716 William
Atkinson in the St. John's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Henrico Co.,
Virginia. The descendants of William Atkinson shortened the name to
Adkins.
From Adkins' Family History:
"Very little is known of Elizabeth as women were seldom mentioned in the
official records of the day. She was born ca 1695. This date is pretty
well locked up as she was married in 1716 making her in the range of 21
(an age about average for the time). Her children were born between the
nineteen yr. period between 1717 and 1735 (the hear of her child bearing
yrs). As mentioned above she was the daughter of Richard Parker who with
his family lived on the James River at the head of Four Mile Creek in
Henrico Parrish. "
On Ancestor chart from Virginia Pierce, it lists Elizabeth's birth as
1695,in Lawrence Co., Kentucky
Ancestral File has an entry that list Elizabeth's death place as
Goochland, Va. This entry also takes her line back several more
generations.
Marriage:
Note: William and Elizabeth were married in the St. John's Episcopal
Church in Richmond.
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