BENJAMIN DOGGETT
(Benjamin; Rev. Benjamin)
110 BENJAMIN
DOGGETT, son of Benjamin and Betty Doggett; b. early
1690's, Lancaster Co., VA; d. bef. 1723, Lancaster Co., VA; m.
abt. 1712, MARY (surname unknown).
Children (Doggett):
111 James m. Charity
m. Rebecca George
112 Benjamin m.
The name "Benjamin" is shown here in italics
because we have not seen any documentary evidence proving that
Benjamin and Betty Doggett's oldest child was given that name.
However, we believe that it is reasonable presumption.
It is clear that there was a son who predeceased his father
Benjamin, who died in 1723. In Benjamin's will he refers to his
grandson James Doggett and gives him one shilling "in full
of all claims whatsoever." James is the first of a series of
persons receiving one shilling, the others being named children
of Benjamin and his first wife, Betty. This clearly indicates
that James was the eldest son of a a predeceased son, not named
in the will. Benjamin had six sons, and considering the naming
customs of the times, it is almost unthinkable that none of the
sons would be named after his father, and grandfather before him.
Therefore we believe that a presumption that the Benjamin's
eldest son was named for his father is most reasonable.
Benjamin died probably in his late 20's, and apparently left no
will and no estate requiring probate, as no references to
administration of his estate are found in county records.
The Lancaster County, Virginia, records do contain court orders
pertaining to suits brought in 1727 and 1728 against Mary
Doggett, widow of Benjamin's father Benjamin for division of the
150 acres of land devised to this father by the Rev. Benjamin
Doggett in 1682. One court order, dated 13 Dec 1727, was in
connection with a petition on behalf of Benjamin Doggett, and the
other order, dated 10 Apr 1728, was in conection with a suit on
behalf of James Doggett. These suits were unsuccessful, probably
because the defendant was in possession of part of the property
as the result of exercise of her dower rights to possession of
one-third of the property during her lifetime. Both suits were
brought by Mary Doggett, as "next friend" of the
plaintiffs. As no formal guardianship was established for
Benjamin or James, it is almost certain that this Mary Doggett
was their mother, and widow of their father, whom we have called
"Benjamin."
The one thing which is somewhat puzzling is why the two suits
were brought a few months apart, and why the suit on Benjamin's
behalf was brought first. However, as James was the child named
in his grandfather's will, we have placed him as the elder of the
two brothers.
Updated 4/6/01