William Devin, Jr.

Notes:

William, Jr. fought against England in the Revolutionary War (Dessa Hofstetter; "The Devin Family"; page 2; ...William and Sarah Devin's four oldest sons were in the Revolutionary War...). Dessa's booklet also quotes, on page 5, a letter from Robert Ira Devin to Alfred Harrison Devin, saying "My grandfather William Devin, Jr. was born in Pittsylvania County, Va. and was a soldier three years in the War of the Revolution. Two of his brothers, John and Robert, were with him in the army..."

William Jr. participated in the battles of Monmouth, Brandywine, Germantown and others. While in the army, he had small-pox and almost lost his life. His face was left badly marked with pits.

He and his wife, Martha, may have moved to Kentucky in 1785, but returned to Virginia in
1789. William Jr. was a devout member of the Presbyterian Church. His wife described him to be medium size, compactly built about 5 feet 10 or 11 inch, blue eyes, light hair, and weighed about 160 pounds. He had a florid complexion. William Jr. died of cancer 28 April 1810.

1787 Pittsylvania County, Virgina U.S.A. for William Devin, Jr.
Personal Property Tax List: 0 white males 16-21
0 blacks over 16
0 blacks under 16
2 horses, mules, etc.
8 cattle

Note: Either the above list is not complete or the previous paragraph is wrong
about the family being in Kentucky between 1785 and 1789.

The following chain of evidence shows the relationship of William Devin, Jr. to his father, William Devin, Sr., both of Pittsylvania County Virginia:

1. William Devin, Sr.'s will dated 25.Nov.1800 recorded in Pittsylvania County VA Deed & Will Book 11 pages 243-244 on 19.Apr.1802 specifically names "William Devin junr" as one of his children.


2. Deed book 9 page 498–499 This tract of land is "...the Land ajoining thereto and bounded as followeth, by William Devin jr lines on the
   South,..." in William Devin, Sr.'s will.

William married Martha Mitchell on 07 Sep 1780 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.. Martha (daughter of James Mitchell and Jane) was born in 1762; died in abt.1830. [Group Sheet]

1. James Devin was born on 15 May 1781 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 11 Aug 1854 in Henry County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Family Cemetery, Henry County, Virginia U.S.A..
2. Jane Devin was born on 15 May 1781 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
3. John Devin was born on 4 Jul 1783 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
4. Sarah Devin was born on 22 Apr 1785.
5. Mary Devin was born on 21 Aug 1787.
6. Elizabeth Devin was born on 15 Nov 1790 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
7. Clayton Devin was born on 11 Jul 1793 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died on 24 Nov 1868 in Polk County, Missouri U.S.A.; was buried in Heydon Cemetery, Polk County, Missouri U.S.A..
8. Bethsheba Devin was born on 30 Mar 1796 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
9. William Robert Devin was born on 3 Aug 1800 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; died in 1876 in Polk County, Missouri U.S.A..

Notes:

William Devin, Senior is considered to be the Progenitor of the protestant Devin family in the United States of America. William Devin, Senior of Virginia was born in Dublin, Ireland and came to America in 1745 or 1746. In 1750, he married Sarah Smith and settled in what is now Pittsylvania County, Virginia.
--The Devin Family, page 1.

CJR says William Devin (father of William Jr. and Alexander) came from Alsace Lorraine, France. --Email 25 February 1998.

A William Davin along with son James Davin is listed in the 1767 list of Tithables for Pittsylvania County, Virginia Colony.

Like many landowners of the era and region, William Devin Senior owned slaves. His will states that he owned at least one male slave, named Alleck, which he bequeathed to his daughter Sarah Devin.
-The Devin Family, page 2.

William Sr. served as Sergeant of Infantry, Virginia Continental Line. He "received a certificate for balance of full pay, according to act passed November session 1781". [more likely this was his son William Jr.]
-The Devin Family, page 3.

Children listed in will: James Devin, Mary Biggar, William Devin, Jr.
Robert Devin, Joseph Devin, heirs of Margaret Reynolds, decd.

References:

(1) War Records No.4 Page 166

(2) Will of William Devin Senior recorded April 19, 1802 in deed and Will Book 11, page 243, of Pittsylvania County, Virginia. Will was signed 25 Nov 1800.
(3) 1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.

1787 Pittsylvania Co VA for William Devin, Sr.
Personal Property Tax List: 2 white males 16-21
1 black over 16
0 blacks under 16
8 horses, mules, etc.
12 cattle
Comments:

Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: 'William Devin born 1724.'"

These statements may be accurate, but Dessa's booklet, as written, seems to relate that these records have Irish origins. There is a Camden Parish in Pittsylvania County, Virginia. If the referenced records are from the Virginia parish, why do they mention the marriage of William and Martha Devin? Is the Sarah Devin mentioned in the records actually William Sr.'s spouse rather than his sister? Another theory is that the William and Martha Devin mentioned in the parish of Camden records is William Devin and Martha Mitchell and the 2 in 1720 is actually an eight.

William married Sarah Smith in 1750. Sarah (daughter of Thomas Smith) was born on 20 Mar 1727/28; died before 22 Nov 1800. [Group Sheet]

Notes:

Not named in will of her husband which was dated 25 November 1800.
Dessa's booklet mentions a letter to Alfred Harrison Devin written by Rev. Robert Ira Devin son of James, son of William Jr, son of William Sr. The letter is said to make the following statements: "Records of the Parish of Camden: 'Sarah Devin born March 20, 1728.'"

Smith surname assumed based on serveral grandchildren named 'Sarah Smith _____'. No documents have been found to support her last name except for a manuscript by Dessa Hoffstetter. However, its source is suspect.

Notes:

Possibly married in Virginia Colony or Pennsylvania Colony.(speculation)

After Sarah and William were married, they settled in the area now known as Pittsylvania County, Virginia. William and Sarah were members of the Presbyterian Church and accumulated some wealth. They had eleven children; some dying in childhood. Their four oldest sons fought in and survived the Revolutionary War. (Hofstetter, Dessa; The Devin Family; page1)

The Devin property in Pittsylvania County, Virginia is shown by deeds and records to be near the Bannister River in the southwest corner of Pittsylvania County, northwest of Danville and east of Martinville, Virginia. In February 17, 1794, William Sr. deeded property to William Jr. as recorded in Pittsylvania County, Virginia Courthouse records. William Sr. bequeathed his house to his daughter, Sarah Devin.