With Levina’s heritage, we can go back 4 generations to both France and England thanks to the book called Histories and Families – Ralls County Missouri found at the Palmyra Historical Society.
The Fuqua family is of French Huguenot (Protestant) extraction. After the Revocation of the Edict of Nantes in 1685 by Louis XIV, King of France, members of the family fled from France to England for religious reasons. They later relocated to Virginia. The new decree outlawed Protestant worship, ordered Protestant churches destroyed, required Protestant ministers to leave France, forbade ordinary Protestants from emigrating, and required the remaining population to accept Catholic instruction. Despite laws prohibiting departure, an estimated 150,000–300,000 Huguenots fled France.
Fuqua is a Franco-Germanic word meaning “guardian folk”. (source: MyHeritage.com Family Tree Gillaspy Family Site)
Let’s start with Guilliame Fouquet, a French Huguenot born around 1667 (MyHeritage.com Family Trees say 1662-1671).
It is believed that Guillaume Fouquet was the first Fuqua ancestor to arrive in America. Guillaume and some of his relatives settled in England for a time before making their way to America. He came as a headright to Thomas Cock, Sr., who was granted a land patent in Varina Parish, Henrico County, Virginia, to transport 17 headrights from England to the Colony of Virginia. On October 20, 1689, Thomas Cock, Sr. was granted 816 acres on the south side of Chickahominy Main Southwest. (Source: Andalusia Star-News, byline Curtis Thomasson, published Saturday, September 5, 2009. I am not so sure about this source.)
A headright is a legal grant or financial interest, most commonly referring to a colonial land grant, an indentured labor incentive, or a Native American tribal trust share. [1, 2]
Colonial Land Grants
- Definition: A system originating in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1618 to solve severe labor shortages for tobacco farming.
- Acquisition: Settlers received about 50 acres of land for themselves, plus an additional 50 to 100 acres for every indentured servant or laborer whose transatlantic passage they paid.
- Impact: Wealthy colonists accumulated massive estates, while freed servants received little land, driving severe economic inequality. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Source of pic to right: https://lva-virginia.libguides.com/land-grants
Guillaume arrived circa 1685 and was soon married in 1687 in Charles City County, Virginia, to Jane Eyre. All of Guillaume and Jane’s children were born in Charles City County. (Another source says he came circa 1670 to SC, then VA.)
In Charles City County VA, Gill lived off of Herrin Creek which runs into James River. He lived on the north side of James River.
There are 9 – 12 known documents [5] in Charles City and Henrico Counties that specifically refer to him. His name, if it was Guillaume, was shortened to Gill and his last name was spelled in various ways. There are no known records that refer to him as ‘Guillaume’ or as ‘Fouquet’. (Source: WikiTree)
1689 – Grant to Thomas Cock for importation of 17 persons, including Gill Fuckett
1695/96 – Grant to William Randolph for importation of 59 persons, including Gill Ffucket
1687 – License to Gill Fuquett
1687 – Witness paid by Gill Fuquett
1687 – Philip Thomas deposes about Gill Fuquett
1687 – Ann Thomas deposes about Gill Fuquett
1687 – Philip Thomas paid as witness by Gill Fuquett
1687 – Petition to court by Gill Fuquett
1691 – Estate of Francis Cleverly shows Gill Fuquett as purchaser; Gille Faucque as security for Ralph Hudspeth; Gile Fugett, Gill Fucque in accounts
1692 – Gill Fucque receipts for wife’s legacy
1696 – Thomas Cocke will refers to Gill ffugitt *2
1698 – Gill ffucque paid by estate of William Cocke
A more detailed review of these documents is available here.
It is a challenge to track Guillaume through local records due to the various spellings of his names. The traditional spelling of Guillaume Fouquet is generally not recorded, but it is listed as Gill, Gillo and Gille and the last name as Fuquett, Fueque Ffuckett. The most common spelling used was Gill Fuquett.
Most of Guillaume’s sons, with the exception of Giles, soon changed the spelling of their name to Fuqua. Giles, who was most likely his father’s namesake, used the “Fewqua” spelling. (Source: Andalusia Star-News, byline Curtis Thomasson, published Saturday, September 5, 2009.)
Jane Eyre was born in 1671 in Henrico, Goochland County, Virginia when it was a British colony. Her parents were Joseph (1638-1679, born in VA), and Margaret Humphreys (1642-1692, born in VA. Joseph’s father, William was born in Leyton, Essex, England February 25, 1618 and came to Virginia in 1638 according to other Ancestry family trees. William died February 1, 1679.
Jane had three siblings, Margaret, Hannah and William.
About Jane’s father: Joseph Eyres was born circa 1638. This estimate is based on the ages of his children and descendants then calibrated backwards. His place of birth is really not known.
Joseph Eyers’ first (known) appearance is in Lower Norfolk County, Virginia, in Linhaven Parish, in 1663 in a suit against a John Lownes. Eyres charged that Lownes owed him 390 Ibs. of tobacco. In 1665 the court of Lower Norfolk ordered that Lownes pay Joseph Eyers 6 bushels of wheat & 840 gallons of “Sider”. Joseph Eyers attorney was a Francis Sayer. In 1662 Sayer lived on the Southern Branch of Elizabeth River, so its assumed Eyers lived in the same area.
We next find him in the area of Malvern Hill in Henrico County. Here he eventually met Margaret Humphreys, daughter of William Humphreys. At the place where Humphreys lived, Turkey Island Creek forms the border of two counties. On the west side of the creek is Malvern Hill in Henrico County. On the east side of the Creek is Charles City County, Virginia. In 1662 William Humphries had land on the east side of the creek and in Oct. 1669 he acquired the Malvern Hill tract, “…where I live” on the west side of the creek.
About 1688 Joseph’s daughter Margaret Eyres married Ralph Hudspeth, according to the Orphan Court Book of Henrico County. Virginia, “Ralph Hudspeth who marryed Margaret Eyres ye daughter of Joseph Eyres decd…”. Assuming bride Margaret was 20 years old, and she being the apparent oldest child of Joseph (sister Jane did not marry until sometime before 1692), then she was born around 1668. This might give us an estimate that her parents Joseph Eyres and Margaret Humphreys married about 1667. Their marriage location was likely on the Charles City County, Virginia side of the creek, since her father William Humphries did not seem to move to Malvern Hill on the Henrico County side of the creek until 1669.
In Oct. 1670 Joseph Eyres, who may or may not have been the same man, had a Ferry and river transport business in which he employed rowers or “Hands”. These companies were at points all along the James River. In June 1679 the Henrico Co. VA. Court ordered that Joseph Eyre be paid for rowing the Burgesses from Varina to Jamestowne (Note: This record is now missing from the Library of Virginia in Richmond, VA.). Joseph may have learned this profession as a young man living on Elizabeth River in Lower Norfolk, VA.
Joseph Ayres/Eyres is not enumerated on the Henrico Co. VA. “Tythables” list of Apr. 1679. This may infer his home was on the Charles City Co. VA. side of the creek. I believe he and wife were living at what is now called Shirley Mill Pond which was William Humphries first tract in the area.
Joseph Eyres last known living appearance was late or Nov. 1679 when he appeared on the Col. Cocke estate of Bremo and Malvern Hill, “To Joseph Eyre”(Henrico Co. VA. Order Book & Wills 1678-1693, original, pages 106 & 108). His death is generally estimated at c1680. He was only about 42 years old. He must have been well-liked in the family as his name was passed down. One of his great grandsons was named Airs Hudspeth.
The known children of Joseph Eyres and wife Margaret Humphreys, according to, “Record Book 1677–1725, 1739, Henrico Co. VA. Orphan’s Court”, p. 32 & the will of their maternal grandfather William Humphreys (1685) of Henrico Co. VA., were Margaret Eyres who md. Ralph Hudspeth, Jane Eyres who md. Gill Fuqua, Hannah Eyres (no further info), & William Eyres, who was likely named after his grandfather William Humphreys (no further info). Joseph Eyres was a direct ancestor of “Star Wars” actress Carrie Fisher. According to Wikitree the line is: 1) Carrie Fisher, 1956-2016, 2) Mary “Debbie” Reynolds, 1932-2016, 3) Reynolds, 4) Reynolds, 5) Lair, 6) Duval, 7) Puckett, 8) Maxey, 9) Maxey, 10) Fuqua, 11) Fuqua, 12) Eyres, 13) Joseph Eyres & wife Margaret Humphreys. The above added by Dennis Stewart(16676), direct descendant of Joseph Eyres & wife Margaret. (Source: https://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Eyres-25#Biography)
Back to Jane, Guilliame (Gill) and Jane were the parents of William Fuqua in 1688. The first public record of William is in 1718 when he was a co-witness to the will of his uncle, Ralph Hudspeth, Sr. [1]
William made his first purchase of land, 270 acres in Henrico County, in 1720, together with his brother Joseph. William married Elizabeth and fathered John Ward Fuqua in 1728. In 1737 he received a grant of 404 acres in Brunswick County and this was the beginning of a new life and a final place of residence for him and his family. It was during this period that he became a “processioner” for the Parish, going over all the lands in the Parish to determine ownership and boundaries.[2] He also purchased 200 acres, (New Land), Pr. George Co., South side of Appomattox River on 1 Aug 1734. (Source: Find a Grave)
“He was a permanently settled man of means, actively engaged in farming and in purchasing land in this rapidly growing part of Virginia. It is evident that his business transactions were with well-established and substantial persons. Certainly the children of William and Elizabeth Fuqua married into prominent and influential families.”[3]
William Fuqua’s Will (see images at this profile) was probated on 3rd of March 1761 in Lunenburg County, Virginia. [4]Those listed in the Will:
- Beloved Wife: Elizabeth Fuqua
- Beloved son Samuel Fuqua
- Beloved son Joseph Fuqua
- Beloved son Moses Fuqua
- Beloved son William Fuqua
- Beloved son John Fuqua
- Beloved daughter Sarah [Fuqua] Ward
He died March 3, 1761. The will shows he lived on a plantation and owned 38 slaves. He left 8 slaves to his wife and the others to his children. He gifted each child a feather bed. He left the plantation, stock, furniture, and other personal items to his wife.
William’s son, John W. married Susannah Bates in 1756 in Halifax, Colony of Virginia. They were the parents of 3 sons and 2 daughters, including John Franklin Fuqua in 1762. John W. died intestate in March 1771, in Charlotte County, Colony of Virginia and Susannah dies the same year when John F. was 9 years old.
At a court held in Charlotte County on 1 Apr 1771, Susannah Fuqua (widow of John W.) and Joseph Fuqua (brother of John W.) were granted administration on the estate of John W. Fuqua, deceased. Security was provided by Samuel Fuqua and Moses Fuqua (brothers of John W.).[2]
In December, 1771 Joseph Fuqua was made guardian of Joseph Fuqua, Hannah Fuqua, John F. Fuqua, William Fuqua and Susannah Fuqua, orphans of John W. Fuqua, deceased. Security was provided by Paul Carrington.[3] This happened when Susannah (widow of John W.) died and the kids became orphans.
In October, 1778 Joseph Fuqua, guardian to Joseph Fuqua, Jr., Hannah Fuqua, John F. Fuqua, William Fuqua, and Susannah Fuqua orphans of John W. Fuqua, deceased, came into court and rendered his several accounts against the said orphan’s estates, which was passed by the court and ordered to be recorded.[4]
Elizabeth Fuqua, wife to William and mother to John W., died after John W. died, so he is not in the will, but I believe John F. is. At age 17, he inherited Cloe, likely a misspelling of Cole, a slave mentioned in William’s will. Elizabeth owned at least 10 slaves when she died.
In 1784, John F. filed a chancery cause against his brother, Joseph, concerning the enslaved persons in their father’s estate. The suit was initiated by John and his brother-in-law, Thomas Lawson, who was married to Joseph’s sister, Hannah Fuqua. The two younger siblings, William Fuqua and Susannah Fuqua, were not yet twenty-one and were represented by John.[1]
By 1786, John F. married Margaret Lawson and traveled west from Charlotte County Virginia to Bourbon, Kentucky.
Margaret Lawson, born 17 Mar 1764 in Halifax, VA, was the daughter of John Lawson (1726-1782) and his wife, Priscilla (1720-1819).[1] Margaret is named in her father’s will, made on 14 Oct 1772, in which she was bequeathed 247 acres and an enslaved girl named Patt. The will specified that Margaret was not to receive her inheritance until she was eighteen or married.[2] (Source: Halifax County Deed Book 17, p. 465.) He died in 1782.
On 6 Feb 1798, John and Margaret — now of Montgomery County, Kentucky appointed John Irvin of Halifax County, Virginia their attorney-in-fact to sell the property she inherited from her father.[2] The property was sold on 3 Jan 1799.[3] (Source: Halifax County Deed Book 18, 1798-1801, p. 46.)
On January 26, 1806, Levina was born. She was the 12th child of 12 children of John and Margaret. Levina had 5 brothers and 6 sisters, 2 of whom were twins. There was a 20-year difference between her oldest brother and her. Two brothers and two sisters did not reach adulthood.
In November 1822, a division and report of the lands of John F. Fuqua, who died in January 1822, was returned to court. The record notes, “Agreeable to an order of the Montgomery County Court to us directs we have met at the house of Thomas L Fuqua in said county and then and there proceeded to make a settlement with Thomas and William Fuqua’s Admdrs. of John Fuqua decd.”[4]
Both of Levina’s parents died before she was married. Her mother died when she was 12 and her father died when she was 15. She married on June 23, 1823 at age 17 and was 18 when she birthed her first son, Alexander. Between age 18 and age 42, she had 14 children. She was 22 when she and Hedgeman moved to Missouri with three young children in tow.
It looks like two of Levina’s brothers, James and William, made the trip to Ralls County, MO from KY. William died in 1834 when he was 43.
Levina’s brother James Lawson Fuqua was raised in the Blue Grass region of Kentucky. He married Frances Chapman, also from KY (one certificate says October 26, 1823 in Scioto, OH). They had 12 children between 1824 and 1842, however, only 5 lived to adulthood. They moved from KY to MO before 1826; one source says they came from Fleming County, KY in 1827. On November 21, 1827, they were deeded 80 acres near Salt River. Frances was a founder of the Salt River Christian Church.
James and Frances’s first 5 children died before they were 5 years old. Henry C. Fuqua, Richard Fuqua, John James, William, and Frances lived to adulthood and beyond and spent their entire life in Ralls County, MO. James and Frances owned several farms in Ralls County. James was “public-spirited and active in local affairs” and was a Justice of the Peace in this district in 1850 and for a number of years.
Son Henry C. was a carpenter, ran a furniture store in New London, and was an undertaker. Son Richard was a prosperous farmer with 154 acres. Daughter Frances married into the Hayden family.
After Hedgeman died in 1869, Levina lived with Marilda, 45, Elizabeth, 23, and William, 20, according to the 1870 census. It shows that Lavina is “keeping house,” while William is a farm hand. Her real estate is worth $3,000 and her personal property is worth $825.
Levina’s children:
Alexander was born April 14, 1824 (had to name it after big brother). There are too many Alexander Wilsons to know about the life of this one.
Armilda was born April 26, 1826. She died at age 13 and was buried at Salt River.
Marilda was born Dec 14, 1827. She never married, stayed on the farm with parents, lived until age 51, and was buried in Salt River Cemetery.
Addeline was born November 18, 1829.
George Washington Wilson born 7-4-1831 – this is our great grandfather and he will have a separate story.
Levina Wilson born 4-30-1833, married Elijah Jameson on October 25, 1853. Prior to his marriage, Elijah spent 2 years in CA looking for gold. He was a captain, large landowner, and director of Ralls County Bank.
Francis Marion Wilson born 8-31-1834, engaged in furniture and undertaking. Married Gabrella circa 1858. In the 1860 census, he owned land worth $1,000 and personal property worth $800.
Eveline Wilson born 3-12-1836, married William S. Lennox bef. 1862 and had 4 children. After she was widowed, she married a second time when she was 58 to Charles Kennedy.
Henry Clay Wilson born 1-27-1838 turned out to be one of the most prosperous of the children. He has a complete bio in Portrait and Biographical Record dated 1895 found in Perry, MO at the Missouri Mule Museum in the back where they keep the records.
In sum, Henry C. Wilson was a prosperous farmer who helped his father on his farm until the age of 21. He served 4 years in the Ralls County State Guard, Confederate side, serving under/with General Marmaduke, Captain Joe Higby and others. He was lucky to escape being wounded and returned to farming, renting farms and working one with brother George. In 1868, he purchased 70 acres and turned that into 443 over the years. He was a Democrat. He married Emily Waters in 1866 and they had 13 children. He was an elder in the Christian church since 1884 and helped erect the building. In his last years, he was nearly fully blind. He is buried at Olivet.
Elizabeth Wilson born 2-14-1840, wife of L. Whittemore, formerly Deputy Sheriff and now Constable of Spencer Township, Ralls County
Harrison Wilson born 11-22-1841. I believe he died before he reached age 9 (not on 1850 census).
Frances Wilson born 10-24-1843. I believe she died before she reached age 7 (not on 1850 census).
John J Wilson born 8-2-1846, farmer, fought on the North side of the Civil War and came back unharmed. Married Mary Small. John J. and Elizabeth died within hours of each other and seemed to be close during their lives. (Source: Ralls County Record, August 18, 1916.)
William Wilson born 6-14-1848. He was a Union Soldier in Company E of the 39th Missouri Infantry. He died in 1913.