On 21 May 1781, Wm Howard witnessed to deed from Thomas Wood to Thomas Sthreshly and Thomas Carnal [Carneal]. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 32, page 16.]

Pursuant to an order of Essex County Court bearing date 16 September 1793, an inventory of the estate of Caleb Gatewood was submitted on 21 September 1795 by Wm. Howard, Charles Bray, John Boughan, and Major Boughan. Total £208.8.8. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 15, pages 155–156.]

On 28 February 1797, Major Boughan executed a bond payable to John Turner: “On demand for value Receiv’d, I Major Boughan of Essex county do promise to pay or cause to be paid unto William Howard of the same county his heirs or Assigns the Just & full sum of fourteen pounds thirteen Shillings & four pence to which payment well & truly to be made I bind my self my heirs Executors & administrators in the penal sum of twenty nine pounds six shillings & Eight pence like money as witness my hand & seal this 28th of February 1797” Signed Major Boughan. Witness: John Turner. On reverse show interest accumulated through 28 February 1797, a payment to James Webb attorney for Wm Howard, and interest from 2 November 1798. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 13, item 13-I-18.]

On 10 March 1800, Major Boughan and John Boughan executed a bond: Know all men by these presents that we Major Boughan & John Boughan are held and firmly bound unto Paul Micou Sheriff of the County of Essex in the Sum of fifty Eight pounds Thirteen Shillings & four pence to be paid unto the said Paul Micou his Certain attorney, heirs, Exers, admors, or assigns, to which payment will and truly to be made we bind ourselves our heirs Exors & admors, Jointly & Severaly, firmly by these presents Sealed with our Seals and dated this 10th day of March 1800 The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas William Howard hath Sued out of the County Court of Essex a writ of capias ad respondendum against the body of the above bound Major Boughan for a plea of Debt for twenty nine pounds Six Shillings and Eight pence damage five pounds Now if the Said Major Boughan do and Shall will and truly make personal appearance before the Justices of the Next Quarterly Court to be holden for the said County of Essex at the Courthouse thereof and do not depart from there without leave of the said Court then the above obligation to be void or else to remain in full force and Virtue Signed Major Boughan, John Boughan. Witness: Gabriel Boughan. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 13, item 13-I-17.]

On 18 January 1802, John Jones and a William Howard were bound $1,500 for John Jones’s administration of the estate of Rickard Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 123–124.]

On 22 July 1802, a suit was in chancery court with John Turner and Cary his wife and William Howard and Elizabeth his wife, plaintiffs, against Major Boughan, executor of John Boughan deceased, defendant. “Came the parties aforesaid by their attornies, and the defendant having file his answer in this cause, the office decree of the 19th of March 1801 is set aside, and this suit thereupon ordered to the rules.” [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 37, page 152.]

On 22 July 1802, a suit was in chancery court with John Turner and Cary his wife and William Howard and Elizabeth his wife, plaintiffs, against John Boughan, executor of Cary Boughan deceased, defendant. [Essex County, Virginia, Order Book 37, page 152.]

An undated bill of complaint stated that John Boughan died in May 1776 “leaving Cary his widow & mother of his children & John & Major Boughan his sons & Mary wife of Richd Burnett & your oratrices his daughters” namely Cary (wife of John Turner) and Eliza (wife of William Howard). That Cary died without having married again. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery 15, item 15-B-52.]

On 10 July 1804, Sarah Crow made a deposition concerning her grandmother, Cary Boughan [who died November 1784]: The Affidavits of Sarah Crow of lawfull age taken at Capt Lewis Bookers store in Essex county between John Turner & Cary his wife William Howard and Elizabeth his wife pltfs and John Boughan Administrator of Cary Boughan Decd defts
This deponent being duly sworn deposeth and saith that she was well acquinted at her grandmothers all the time of her Widowhood as I do not think that I ever missed a week from being there if the weather was good & I was well & some times staid their a considerable time Question by Deft after your Grandmothers death do you know how much Brandy was on the plantation
Ans I do not know how much there was but there was two casks such as are called quarter casks one to the best of my knoledge was full & the other they were using out of I cant say how much was in it.
Qust by deft do you know whether there was any Brandy or Cyder sold after your grandmothers death belonging to the plantation
Ans I do know that aunt Cary Boughan (now Cary Turner) sold of each to several persons and recievd the money for it
Quest by Deft do you know how much corn there was on the plantation Ans I know that there was a corn House full but how much the house held I do not know & I heard say there was some left in the stock [stack?] Quest by deft do you know whether your grandmother bought the negro girl Sint Ans I heard her say that she did & intended her for aunt Cary but afterward I heard her say that if she maried John Turner one of the plts that she never should have the negro nor nothing that she had to give Quest by John Turner one of the plts who distilld the Brandy belonging to the Estate as mentioned above Ans my Grandmother the widow of John Boughan decd but my aunt Cary Boughan the wife of John Turner I have seen her assist when she was present
Essex County to wit
The above affidavit taken (notice acknowledged by the parties) and sworn to before me this 9th day of July 1804
JBohannan [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery 15, item 15-D-24.]

On 11 September 1804, Caston Boughan and William Howard provided an affidavit: The affidavit of Caston Boughan and William Howard junr both of lawful age taken at Capt Lewis Bookers Store, in a suit in Chancery now depending in Essex County Court between John Turner and Cary his wife and Wm. Howard Senr and Eliza his wife Pltffs and Major Boughan Executor of John Boughan deceased defendant, these deponants being duly sworn deposeth and Saith, that they was [sic] in company with John Turner, William Howard Senr, and Major Boughan at William Howards junr sometime after being there a conversation took place, something about the account of Sale of the Estate of John Boughan Deced (the particulars we do not recollect) however it was agree’d on by each party that we Caston Boughan and William Howard junr should take the Copy of the Acct of Sales and examine it, and on examination we found some small errors in it, and not knowing how to rectify it acurately without seing the original Sale Book, we apply’d to William Howard Senr who kept the said original Sale Book on the day of Sale, we then rectifyd it and William Howard Senr said it was right. we then deliver’d the said Copy of the account of sales to Major Boughan Exrs of John Boughan Deceas’d
First Question by John Turner one of the Pltffs Was the account of Sales recorded? Answer we do not know but neither the original Sale Booke nor the Copy alluded to above was from the office
Essex County to wit,
Caston Boughan and William Howard Junr personally appeared before me and made oath that the above affidavit contained the truth
Given under my hand this Eleventh day of September 1804
LBooker [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-B-5]

On 11 September 1804, James Croxton provided an affidavit: The affidavit of James Croxton of lawful age taken at Capt. Lewis Bookers Store in a suit in Chancery now depending in Essex County Court between John Turner & Cary his wife and William Howard Senr & Elizabeth his wife Pltffs and Major Boughan Executor of John Boughan Decd Defendt this deponant being duly Sworn deposeth and Saith—First, Question by Major Boughan the Defendt Do you recollect the Mare that my Mother gave to Cary Boughan (now Cary Turner) and what do you Suppose She was worth? Answer Yes I remember her & suppose her to have been worth twenty two pounds Specie at that time—Second Questn by the defendant, Do you recollect, the horse that my Mother gave to Wm Howard Senr and what do you suppose he was worth?—Answer yes I remember the horse and Suppose him to have been worth twentytwo pounds Specie at that time,—Third Question by the defendant, Do you remember the Mare that my Mother sold to Richard Jeffries junr, and what do you suppose She was worth? Answer yes I remember the Mare and suppose her to have been worth one Hundred dollars Specie at that time—Fourth Question, by the defendant, Do you remember the horse my Mother Sold to William Tigner, and what do you suppose he was worth?—Answer yes I remember the horse & suppose him to have been worth Fifty Shillings Specie at that time—Fifth Question by the defendant—Do you recollect that my father hired a Negro fellow of me (by name of General)?—Answer yes I remember he did—Sixth Question by the deft Do you remember William Griggs living on the plantation as Overseer for my Father the year he hired the sd Negro General?—Answer yes—Seventh Question by the defendt Do you know who lived on the plantation after my Mothers death untill the day of Sale? Answer yes, Cary Boughan, (now Cary Turner) Eighth Question by the defendt, Did you know the Negroes belonging to my Fathers Estate on the day of Sale?—Answer yes, Peter, Esther, and Ell,— Ninth Question by the deft, Do you remember that there was Horses, Cattle, & Hogs, sold on the day of Sale?—
Answer, yes, I remember there was—
First Question by John Turner, one of the pltffs, What time was it, When Mrs Cary Boughan gave a mare to Miss Cary Boughan, (now Cary Turner)—
Answer I do not recollect,—
Tenth Question by the deft Do you know whether the pltffs intends to hold me to the apprasment [sic] of my Father Estate or not?—
Answer, I heard Mr John Turner Say he Should—
Essex County to wit,
James Croxton appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and made oath that the within affidavit contained the truth
Given under my hand this Eleventh day of Septr 1804.
LBooker [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-B-12.]

On 11 September 1804, Gabriel Purkins provided an affidavit: The affidavit of Gabriel Purkins of lawful age taken at Capt Lewis Booker’s Store in a suit in Chancery now depending in Essex County Court, between John Turner and Cary his wife and William Howard senr and Elizabeth his wife Pltffs, and Major Boughan Executor of John Boughan deceased defendant this deponant being duly sworn deposeth and saith—
First Question by Major Boughan the defendant, do you recollect the Mare my Mother gave to Cary Boughan now Cary Turner and what She was worth?—
Answer yes I remember her and suppose her to have been worth twenty two pounds specie at that time—
Second Question by the defendant, do you recollect the horse that my Mother gave to Wm Howard Senr and what do you suppose he was worth?—Answr I rememember [sic] the Horse and suppose him to have been worth twentytwo pound Specie at that time,—Third Question by the defendant, do you remember the Mare that my Mother sold to Richard Jeffries junr, and what do you suppose She was worth?—Answer yes, I remember the Mare and suppose her to have been worth one Hundred dollars specie at that time.—Fourth Question by the defendant, do you remember the horse my Mother sold to William Tigner and what do you suppose he was worth?—Answer yes, I remember the horse and suppose him to have been worth fifty Shillings Specie at that time—Fifth Question by the defendant, do you recollect that my Father hired a negro fellow of me by name of General?—Answer yes, I remember he did Sixth Question by the defendant, do you remember Wm Griggs living on the plantation as Overseer for my Father the year he hired Said Negro Genrl Answer yes—Seventh Question by the defendant, do you remember the Cattle Wm Purkins bought of my Mother and what he gave for them?
Answer yes I rember [sic] he bought a Cow and calf and the price was three pounds or three pounds ten Shillings Eighth Question by the defendant, do you know who lived on the plantation after my Mothers death untill the day of Sale? Answer yes, Cary Boughan (now Cary Turner)—Ninth Question by the defendant, did you know the Negroes belonging to my Fathers Estate on the day of Sale?—Answer yes, Peter Esther and Ell—Tenth Question by the defendant, do you remember that there was Cattle Horses & Hogs sold at the sale? Answer I remember there was—
Eleventh Question by the defendant, do you know whether the pltffs, means to hold me to the appraisment of my Fathers Estate?—Answer I heard John Turner say he should—
Essex County to wit
Gabriel Purkins personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the County aforesaid and made oath that the above affidavit contained the truth
Given under my hand this Eleventh day of Septer 1804.
LBooker [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-B-13.]

On 11 September 1804, John Boughan provided an affidavit: The affidavit of John Boughan of lawfull age taken at Capt Lewis Booker’s store house in Essex County between John Turner and Cary his wife and William Howard Senr and Elizabeth his wife pltfs and Major Boughan Executor of John Boughan decd Deft, this deponant being duly sworn deposeth and saith
Qust 1st by deft. Major Boughan do you remember that a Negro man by name General belonging to me leving [living] with my Farther in the year seventeen hundred and seventy five? Ansr I do and that he was to give seven pounds ten shilling for his hire that year further Question by the deft do you know if William Griggs livid with my Farther the same year that my Negro man General lived with him. ansr I do, and that the said Boughan let the said Griggs have cloth and trimings for a Coat but the price I do not know further Question by deft do you recollect what number of Negroes belongd to the Estate of John Boughan decd Ansr there was three Peter, Esther, & Ell, which was apprais’d to one hundred & fifty pounds and was devided by consent of parties between William Howard & Cary Boughan the wife of John Turner pltfs
further Quest by deft. was there any sheep belonging to the Estate of John Boughan decd at the time of the sale — Ansr I do not know that there was.
Question by deft was there a side saddle bottle and Jugs belonging to the Estate Ansr there was, and I know that Cary Boughan had the side saddle and since she has been maried I have seen it at John Turners a [sic] noted Jugs and bottle at his house that did belong to the Estate and one Jugs at Williams Howards further Question by deft do you recollect what became of the beds belonging to the Estate of John Boughan decd? Ansr I do there was three devided between Cary Boughan the wife of John Turner & William Howard and one was sold by Major Boughan.
Further Question by Deft do you recollect what became of a young mare belonging to the Estate of John Boughan decd — Ansr I do she was sold by my mother the Widow of the said John Boughan decd and to Richard Jeffries Junior and she also Sold an old Horses [sic] to William Tignor and gave a mare to Cary Boughan the wife of John Turner and a young Horse to William Howard senr further Question by deft do you know wheather there was any thing belonging to the Estate of John Boughan decd Secreted by me or my order? Ansr I do not further Questioned by deft do you know whether the mare and horse that was Sold by my mother as mentioned by you above was apprais’d when my Fathers Estate was apprais’d? Ansr I beleive they was. further Questioned by Deft who liv’d on the plantation from the time of my mothers death untill the day of sale? ansr Cary Boughan, and Cary Griggs was there the greater part of her time, and all the Negroes that belong’d to the Estate.—
Question by John Turner one of the Pltffs — Do you know that the Negroe General which Major Boughan hired to John Boughan decd was the sold property of the s’d Majr Boughan, — Answer I do know one half of the s’d Negroe General was the property of Elizabeth Munday.—
Further question by John Turner, — do you suppose your Father, or the estate was not able to have paid the hire due for General before this. — To be sure they were able—
Question by Majr Boughan the Defendt how long did John Boughn dec’d live after the money became due for the hire of General — Answer he died the may following.—
Essex County to wit,
John Boughan personally appeared before me a Justice of the peace for the aforesaid County and made oath that the above affidavit concained [sic] the truth,
Given under my hand this Eleventh day of Septemr 1804.
LBooker. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery No. 15, item 15-B-4.]

An undated answer by John Boughan from the early 1800s stated that he had difficulty separating the accounts of his mother’s estate from his father’s, and stated that he thought his mother had loaned Cary [Turner] and son-in-law William Howard were in debt to the estate, as “sums to a large amount were loaned”. [Essex County, Virginia, Box Chancery 15, item 15-D-10.]

On 21 February 1803, a William Howard witnessed the will of John Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 200–201.]

On 20 June 1803, Wm Howard, with John Turner and Richard Meador, inventoried the estate of John Burke. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 210–212.]

On 16 July 1804, a William Howard, with Robert Gatewood and Wm Gatewood, was bound $1,000 for Robert Gatewood’s executorship of the estate of Isaac Gatewood. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, page 299.]

William Howard Sr was named co-executor, with Major J. B. Turner, of the estate of John Turner in John Turner’s 16 March 1805 will. He also witnessed the will. He gave bond of $3,000, with William Howard Jr. as security. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 16, pages 361–362.]

An inventory and appraisal of the estate of John Boughan was ordered on 15 September 1806 and was recorded on 15 June 1807. By Wm Howard, James Dix, and Richard Meador. [Essex County, Virginia, Will Book 17, page 21.]