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HALE/HAILE/HEALE GENEALOGY
BIOGRAPHICAL INFO ON NICHOLAS HALE &
SOME OF HIS DESCENDANTS
 
Nicholas HALE was born in 1628-1630 in Tidewater Area of Virginia and died Bet 15 Feb 1668-8 Nov 1671 in Lancaster County, Virginia. He married Mary (surname unknown).
In the colonial court records of York County, we find Nicholas married (wife's name Mary) and on May 5, 1654 he gave power of attorney to his friend, Dr. Thomas Roots. We further find, same date, but in Lancaster County, the same record. He possessed no small acreage of land in York County and in addition, in Lancaster County, May 18, 1660, he owned 738 acres on the northwest branch of Corotoman River. (Cavaliers & Pioneers, p. 569) In May of 1666 234 acres were added. He is recorded in the colonial records as receiving additional land for transporting people into the county.
His eldest son, George and daughter Mary were born in York County. His second son and youngest child, Nicholas, was born in Lancaster County, Virginia 1656.
Colonial records of 1654, Nicholas suffered penalty regarding a "gun" in the house of Margaret Grimes (wife of Edward) Vol. 1, page 163.
Colonial records of Lancaster County, vol. 2, page 120: "At court held for Lancaster County, Sept. 18, 1669, upon petition of Nicholas Haile, William Ball, Jr. ... it is ordered that a roadway from the new church to Mr. Fox be according to act laid out and cleaned by the surveyors for that precinct with as much conveniency and speed as possible may." This is first mention of a church in that vicinity as formerly the faithful had been "called to the plantation of Mr. David Fox on the hill." Later in the colonial records we find it was Nicholas Haile who first stood up in church and suggested that a "a full time preacher be called."
The will of Margaret George, Lancaster County, 8 Feb 1668 was witnessed by both Nicholas and George Haile.
Colonial Court Records, vol. 2, p. 73: Robert Pollard, dec'd, went to England. he committed his son, Robert Pollard to the "tuition" of Nicholas Haile - January 1667/8. In June 1671 Nicholas Haile possessed land for the orphans of John Arding.
Colonial records, Lancaster County, Virginia, Vol. 2, P. 72, records: Thos. Gayner of Bristol, England, Merchant, P/A to Mr. Nicholas Haile to collect debts in Lancaster County, recorded 15 February 1668. This appears to be the last record found of the activities of Nicholas Haile of Lancaster County, Virginia. The same colonial records, on November 8, 1671, records Mary Haile as executrix of the estate of Nicholas Haile, her husband, deceased. Some time after 15 Feb 1668 and prior to 8 Nov 1671, Nicholas Haile passed from the earthly scene. Evidently he died suddenly and intestate as no will has been found for him. Only the administration of his estate is available. The logical place for his, perhaps unmarked, grave is the Haile Graveyard, close to the church attended by Nicholas and his family in Lancaster, Virginia.
Mary, his wife, took over management of the plantation at his death; however, she passed sometime between 8 Nov 1671, when she was recorded as administrator of her husband's estate, and 13 Mar 16712 when her eldest son, George, was ordered by the court of Lancaster County (p. 219) to pay to Mary Haile King her portion of her parents' estates.
Colonial Court Records for Lancaster County, Virginia, series 2, vol. 2 pg 84, orders George Haile (Heale) to give to Mary Haile King one-third part of two-thirds parts of her father Nicholas Haile's estate and one-third part of her mother's estate.
From the above court order (on record at Lancaster County Court House) one can get sufficient proof that Nicholas Haile and his wife Mary had only three children, George, Mary and Nicholas. As Nicholas died intestate, he no doubt was a young man and his death unexpected. One can glean from the early records of Tidewater Virginia that he had worked hard and accomplished much, as did most of the early settlers.
Records show each child, George, Mary and Nicholas, received 1/3 of 2/3 of Nicholas Haile's estate and they each received 1/3 of Mary's estate. Mary, of course, having received the widow's right to one-third of her husband's estate.
Nicholas HALE was born in 1656 in Lancaster County, Virginia and died on 29 Mar 1730 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. Nicholas married Frances GARRETT, daughter of Dennis GARRETT and Barbara STONE, in 1700 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland. (Frances GARRETT was born about 1670 and died about 1730.)
Will of Nicholas Haile of Baltimore Co., dated 27 Feb 1729, Probated 18 April 1730 IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN. I NICHOLAS HAILE of Baltimore County, in the Province of Maryland, being weak of body but of perfect mind and memory, thanks be given to God for the same, hoping and sure trusting to Him for remission of my sins through his Son Jesus Christ our Savior and knowing the uncertainty of this mortal life have ordained and do ordain this to be my LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT and I do hereby do utterly disallow and make of no value all other former wills by me made but do fully confirm this my LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT. I also will that my beloved wife, Francis Haile, to be my whole and sole executrix of this my Last Will and Testament and I do trust to her for a decent burial. I also will that all funeral charges and just debts to be honestly and legally paid and discharged.
Item 1: I will unto my eldest son, Nicholas Haile, half that tract of land called HAILES FELLOWSHIP whereon he now liveth to him and his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever; the said land to be divided right across the middle and I will that my son, GEORGE HAILE, shall have the upper and next to George Hitchcock's to him and his heirs of his body lawfully begotten forever but and if my two sons Nicholas Haile and George Haile leave no lawful heirs then his or his parts of land to the next of kin and to be consigned as aforesaid forever.
Item 2: I say I will to my well beloved wife, Frances Haile, my now dwelling plantation called Part of Merryman's Lot and my now plantation called HAILES' Addition to her and for her use without molestation during her natural life, and after her demise to my son Neale Haile and my daughter Mary Haile.
Item 3: To my son, Neale Haile, my now dwelling plantation which is called Part of Merryman's Lot to him and his heirs forever; also I will that my son Neale Haile to have part of that tract of land called Haile's Addition adjoining my now dwelling plantation and to begin at a great stone standing upon Great Run of this tract and to run with a straight line to a bounded black oak standing on the land called Haile's Addition to my son Neale Haile and his heirs lawfully begotten forever, and if he die without heirs lawfully begotten then that land to the next of kin.
Item 4: I also will that my eldest daughter, MARY HAILE, shall have all the remainder part of that tract of land called Haile's Addition to her and her heirs of her body lawfully begotten forever, but and if she die without issue lawfully begotten then that land to the next of kin.
Item 5: I will unto my two daughters, HANNAH HAILE and ANN HAILE, my tract of land called MOUNT PLEASANT containing 150 acres to be equally divided between them and for them and their heirs lawfully begotten forever. Hannah to have her first choice but and if they, one or both, die without issue lawfully begotten, then to the next of kin as above said.
Item 6: I give to my two daughters, MILLISANT HAILE and my daughter SUBINNER HAILE, 100 acres of land lying on Stony Run called HAILE'S FOLLY to be equally divided between them, Millisant to have her first choice, to them and their heirs lawfully begotten forever, but and if they die without issue lawfully begotten then to the next of kin and to each of them one heifer a piece besides their equal share in the moveable estate.
Item 7: I also will that my three old Negroes be to my wife to maintain herself and my son Neale Haile so long as long as she liveth, but and if my Negro women bring children then the first child to my youngest daughter, ANN HAILE and the next to the next youngest and so on till each one of my children have one Negro child if so be that the Negro woman or women should bring so many, but and if my wife should die then the three old Negroes to my son Neale Haile ,but and if he should die without issue then the next of kin.
Item 8: I will that my son GEORGE HAILE have the mare colt that is now with and come of my mare called Daisy/Dainty(?), and the next colt that either of my mares bring to my daughter Millisant, and the next to my Daughter Subinner, and the next to my Daughter Ann, and the next to my son Neale Haile, also all the rest of personal Estate to be equally divided amongst all my children.
Dated: 27th day of February 1729/30 /s/ Nicholas Haile Witnessed by John Merryman, Sr., Johanna Merryman and Francis Hinckley.
Nicholas HALE was born on 2 Jan 1702 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland and died abat 1850 in Bedford County, Virginia. Nicholas married Ann LONG, daughter of Col. Thomas LONG and Jane, on 25 Dec 1723 in St. Pauls, Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland.
Nicholas was born at his father's plantation dwelling known as Part of Merryman's Lot and Haile's Addition which remained his father and mother's home during their entire married life. The home was on the spot which has supported the home of the president of John Hopkins University for many years.
In Oct 1742, a committee composed of vestrymen of St. Paul's Episcopal Church, Baltimore Town, namely, Nicholas Haile, William Hamilton, Christopher Gist, Samuel Owings and Christopher Randall, were empowered to receive voluntary subscriptions for the purchase of two acres of land ... to build a chapel of ease thereon. This "chapel of ease" became St. Thomas Episcopal Church, St. Thomas Lane, Baltimore. Nicholas Haile was one of the largest contributors to this fund, giving 4 pds. Neale Haile, his younger brother also contributed.
Only a few years after Nicholas Haile was on the committee for the "chapel of ease" he, with his family, went to Bucks County, Pennsylvania and from there to Bedford County, Virginia. The early records of Virginia reveal their interest and activities in civic and church affairs.
Nicholas and his eldest son Nicholas who married Ruth Acre, were prominent in Bedford County after its formation. They played a big part in buying and selling land, building and operating a mill, and taking part in the new governments. Hale's Old Mill Creek, which empties into the Stauton River, and Hale's Ford are named for this family. They owned much of the land on both sides of the Atauton in the vicinity of Indian Run, Falling and Linville Creeks
They were in Augusta Co., Virginia as early as 1748, and in 1749, Nicholas was appointed a Justice in Lunenberg Co., Virginia. He took an active part in the organization of Halifax County, and served as a justice in this new county in 1752.
Nicholas died intestate for no will for him is recorded. He died prior to 1763 possibly 1760. His widow returned to Maryland, sold some property (Maryland Land Records) returned to Virginia where, on April 26 1763, she married William Bannister, widower. In Bannister's will, dated Bedford County (Will Book I) he leaves one-third to his beloved wife, the remainder to be divided between his two sons, Isaac and James. His will also reads: "As touching a sale of mortgage which I gave to William Mead, I never received any satisfaction for same ..." William Mead married Anne Hale, his step-daughter.

Tennessee - This generation left Maryland for frontiers of Virginia, North Carolina and Pennsylvania, better known as the "Watauga Region." On the journey southward some of the Hailes stopped in Loudon County, Virginia for a visit with their cousins, descendants of George Haile of Virginia. Others stopped in Wythe and Washington counties before settling in, what was then, North Carolina and known today as the East Tennessee region.

The valley formed by the Great Smoky Mountains and the Cumberland Mountains, in which the Nolichucky and Watauga Rivers ran, was first settled by pioneers of Virginia and North Carolina.

Washington County, TN: Washington County originally came under the jurisdiction of North Carolina. In 1772 settlers living south of the Holston River, on the Watauga and Nolichucky Rivers, within the boundaries of the North Carolina colony, organized the Watauga Association, giving America its first written constitution. In 1775 the Wataugans changed their name to "Washington District." The main settlements in the Washington District were Watauga, Carter's Valley, and Nolichucky.

Most of the early arrivals brought with them their most prized possessions. Abednego and Ruth Haile brought a riding chair and a a silver turkey platter, family heirloom from England. Elizabeth, daughter of George Haile, Maryland, brought a china tea set, silver candle holders and other precious possessions dear to the heart of the homemaker.

Indians: The Indians who occupied this territory at the time were Cherokee and Creeks. The Cherokee were a formidable tribe both with regard to numbers and warlike prowess. The early history of Tennessee is full of incidents illustrating their courageous, revengeful and perfidious spirit. The Creeks, originally known as Muscogees, were well made, well shaped and in most cases the women were truly beautiful. Neither the Creeks nor the Cherokees were blanketed Indians. They lived in houses, were good homemakers, had barns well filled and outhouses. They tended their land and when slavery was introduced to this country, they bought slaves to till the land for them.

Meshack HALE was born on 19 Aug 1738 in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland and died before 24 Aug 1813 in Davidson County, Tennessee. Meshack married Catherine GIBSON, daughter of James GIBSON in 1760 in Bedford County, Virginia. (Catherine GIBSON was born in 1735 in Lancaster County, Virginia.)
Meshack married Catherine, daughter of James Gibson whose will, dated 14 Apr 1764, makes mention of legacy to Catherine Hale, Hanner Cook and Elizabeth Candler, daughters; sons, James, Randall and John. Meshack lived for a while in Washington County, purchased land and then moved on to Davidson County, Tennessee as some of his children lived there.
Military Service. Sergeant in the Bedford Militia in 1758.
Land and Property. Bought 200 acres from Peter Finnie for 50 pds. and sold these same 200 acres on 23 Sep 1772 to William Mead. (Bedford County Deeds Book 4)
Land and Property. Granted land on 24 Oct 1782 in Tennessee. Was on the 1787 tax list in 1787 and by 1789 was in Davidson County Tennessee.
Will - written Jun 1813 and probated 24 Aug 1813, Davidson County, Tennessee. His will mentions sons of son, Joshua (Stephen and Thomas) Joshua deceased; also Elizabeth deceased and her heirs are mentioned. It also mentions Stephen and Thomas Haile as sons of his deceased son Joshua. He mentions heirs of Elizabeth and Jacob Edwards but not by name, nor does the will reveal how many children the Edwards had.
Davidson County, TN was formed in 1783 by an act of the state of North Carolina.
Meshack and Catherine had eight children; Nathan, Nicholas, John, William, Susanna, Nancy, Elisabeth and Joshua.
William HALE was born about 1769 in Bedford County, Virginia. William married Sally BROWN on 18 Mar 1799 in Davidson County, Tennessee. William may also have married Sarah Higgenbothem. Children of William are:
1. Stephen Gibson Hale m. Tabitha Fowler
2. Nicholas Hale
3. Amelia Hale
4. Mahala Hale
5. Sarah Hale
6. Malinda Emaline Hale m. Edward Fowler
7. Washington W. Hale
8. Charles Jackson Hale
9. Narcissa Hale
Malinda Hale was born about 1810 in Davidson County, Tennessee. Malinda married Edward Fowler on 24 May 1825 in Sangamon County, Illinois. Edward was born about 1801 in Mecklinburg County, Virginia, the son of Mason Fowler and Prudence Hill.
 
NOTE: Much of the information on the early Hale's was taken from "Descendants from First Families of Virginia and Maryland" by Maude Crowe.