| Notes |
- "...we quote Dan V. Stephens, who writes of Peter Stephens, Senior, 'Peter Stephens, Sr. was born in 1690 or a little earlier (probably in Germany). ...Since he was so closely identified with Jost Hite... it is presumed that he may have come to this country with Hite, settling, first, in Rockland County, New York, later coming down through New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the Valley of the Shenandoah, Virginia, with Jost Hite and others in the year 1732. Peter Stephens, Sr. married Maria Christina Rittenhouse of Germantown Pennsylvania. ...Jost Hite settled on Opequon while Peter Stephens traveled a few miles further south and settled on Crooked Run, near which he founded the town of Stephensburg, now Stephens City, Frederick County, Virginia. On October 3, 1734, he received a patent from Jost Hite, 674 acres of land adjoining Hite... and on November 10, 1752, he secured 572 acres of land adjoining his won patent.... He died in 1757, leaving his large estate to his wife, his four sons and three daughters.'
"One legend of our family concerns a beautiful apple tree owned by Peter Stephens. People came from miles around to see it, to taste the exceptionally fine fruit, and to obtain cuttings to root. One man from Albemarle County was successful in starting an entire orchard of his won, and the apples became known as 'Albemarle Pippins" -- Bond, Marian Saunders. Some ancestors, pp. 42-43.
WILL OF PETER STEPHENS, SEN'R, 1757 -- Will Book 2, Page 266, Frederick County Va, Records
"In the Name of God, Amen. On the 28th day of April in the year of our Lord God, one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven, I, Peter Stephens, Sr. of Frederick County in Virginia, yoemen[sic.], being sick and weak in body, but perfect should mind and memory, thanks be to God, therefore calling unto mind the mortality of my body and knowing it appointed for all men once to die, do make and ordain this Last Will and Testament, that is to say: Principally and first of all I give and recommend my soul into the hands of God that gave it, and for my body I commend it to the earth, to be buried in a Christian and decent manner, at the discretion of my Executors, nothing doubting but at the general resurrection I shall receive the same again by the mighty power of God, and as Touching such worldly estate wherewith it has pleased God to bless me with in this life, I give and devise, dispose of the same in the following manner and form:
"Imprimis, my will is, that if it pleases the Almighty God to call me from this estate of life before my well beloved wife, Maria Christina Stephens, that she shall be truly and effectually invested with all and singular my Right Property and Interest of, in and to my Mansion House, with the use and occupation of all and singular my lands, being the quantity of 25 acres together withall and singular my movable and personal estate during her natural life, to be by her possessed without interruption or molestation of any person or persons whatsoever; and further, my will is that and after the decease of my said wife, Maria Christina, the said mansion house and 25 acres of land shall devolve to my eldest son, Lewis Stephens, his heirs or assigns forever, as fully and amply, to all intents and propose as I myself in my life time held and enjoyed the same. Provided, and it is my will that in consideration of the said devise, my eldest son shall pay unto my eldest daughter, Maria Christina, the sum of ten pounds current money, Ten pounds to my second daughter, Maria Magdalena together with the sum of ten pounds like money to my youngest daughter Margaret, to be by them or their heirs received and enjoyed.
"Item -- For that I have heretofore given to my second son, Lawrence Stephens, by virtue of a certain deed of lease and release the quantity of 225 acres of land to be by him, his heirs, and assigns possessed forever. &.
"Item -- Also I have heretofore given unto my third son, Peter Stephens, by virtue of a deed of lease & release the quantity of 200 acres of land to be by him, his heirs and assigns, possessed forever, &.
"Item -- I give and bequeath to my youngest son, Henry Stephens a certain tract or parcel of land containing the quantity of 300 acres to be the same more or less, whereon he now lives to be possessed by him his heirs or assigns, forever.
"Item -- My will is that a certain tract of land, containing 400 acres be the same more or less adjoining my former tract of land, which by virtue of a Patent had out of the office of Thomas Lord Fairfax, will more or less at large appear, I give and bequeath to my eldest son, his heirs and assigns forever, for the consideration of the sum forty pounds current money, Ten pounds of which I have to my eldest son Lewis Stephens; ten pounds to my second son Lawrence; Ten pounds to my third son, Peter, and ten pounds to my youngest son Henry, to be my them or their heirs received and enjoyed, &.
"Item -- My will is that my well beloved Maria Cristina Stephens be an Executrix with my beloved son, Lewis Stephens and my beloved son, Lawrence Stephens, Executrix and Executors of this my Last Will and Testament. Revoking and annulling and making void all other Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made. Ratifying and confirming this and no other, my Last Will and Testament.
"In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the date and year above written. Signed, sealed, published, pronounced and declared by the said Peter Stephens, as his Last Will and Testament.
"Peter Stephens (SEAL)
"In the presence of us:
"Memorandum: Before signing and declaring the within above comprised will, it is willed by the Testator that after the decease of the said Maria Christina Stephens, that if any movable estate remain, it shall be equally divided between all the children surviving, or their heirs, &.
MARTIN GRIDER. ANDREW (?) OTT. JOSEPH CARROLL.
"At a court held for Frederick County on Tuesday the 6th day of December 1757.
"This Last Will and Testament of Peter Stephens, deceased, as presented into court by Lewis Stephens and Lawrence Stephens, tow of the Executors therein named. Maria Christina Stephens, the other Executrix, having refused to take on her the burden of execution of the said Will, which is admitted to record. The said Will being proved by the oaths of Joseph Carroll and Martin Grider, witnesses thereto, is admitted to record."
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Taylor Family Genealogy
Abt 1690 - 1757 (~ 67 years)
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