William Devin, Sr.

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:

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.

1. James Devin was born about 1748.
2. John Devin was born in 1750 in Virginia.
3. William Devin, Jr. was born in c.1752; died on 27 Apr 1810.
4. Mary Devin was born about 1757; died after 1802.
5. Margaret Devin was born about 1759; died about 1798 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A.; was buried in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
6. Robert Devin was born on 06 Apr 1759 in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania; died on 10 Apr 1834 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
7. Joseph Devin was born on 17 Sep 1760; died on 26 May 1804 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
8. Sarah Devin was born about 1761; died before 16 Oct 1848 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia U.S.A..
9. Rev. Alexander Devin was born on 22 Mar 1769 in Pittsylvania County, Virginia; died on 05 Jan 1827 in Gibson County, Indiana U.S.A.; was buried in Devin Plot, Warnock Cemetery, Princeton, Indiana U.S.A..