1850 U.S. Census, Essex County, Virginia
Page 72
Durham, Jacob, 54, male, farmer, value of real estate $2,000, born in Virginia
Durham, Catharine, 61, female, born in Virginia
Durham, James, 28, male, laborer, born in Virginia
Durham, George, 26, male, laborer, born in Virginia
Durham, Jacob, 24, male, laborer, born in Virginia
Durham, Louisa, 22, female, born in Virginia
Durham, William, 17, male, laborer, born in Virginia
St. John, Delphia, 90, female, black, born in Virginia, cannot read or write

William F. Durham was a member of the 55th Virginia Infantry during the Civil War: Durham, William F.: Probably a recruit or conscript assigned to Co. A in 1865. Name appears on the Essex Monument. Paroled at Richmond, on 4/26/65. [Richard O’Sullivan, 55th Virginia Infantry (Lynchburg, Virginia: H. E. Howard, Inc., 1989), 121.]

On 13 January 1914, William Franklin Durham Sr. died in Howertons, Rappahannock District, Essex County, Virginia. He was male; white; married; born 31 August 1832; died aged 81 years, 4 months, 13 days; occupation farmer; born in Virginia; father was Jacob Durham Sr. who was born in Virginia; mother was Catherine Greenwood, who was born in Virginia; informant was M. F. Durham of Howertons, Virginia; cause of death paralysis, duration 8 months; length of residence at place of death and in the state 81 years, 4 months, 13 days; burial at Howertons Church, Virginia; date of burial 14 January 1914; undertaker E. Fogg of Howertons, Virginia. [Commonweath of Virginia, Certificate of Death 652.]

The will of W. F. Durham of the County of Essex and State of Virginia was dated 8 May 1908. Lends to wife Mary Alice Durham all estate real and personal during her life or widowhood with the privilege of selling timber on the south side of the dragon Canal or any personal property of her support or the support of her children namely Montague, Smith and Julia, or for repairs. At her death or marriage, property is to equally divided among all my living children. Wife to be executor. Signed W. F. Durham. On 16 February 1914, this will purporting to be the true last will and testament of W. F. Durham was produced and proved by John E. Durham and R. G. Cauthorn who were acquainted with the handwriting of W. F. Durham. [Essex County, Virginia, Wills, Fiduciary Accounts, Etc. 3, page 47.]

He is listed as the father of his daughter Ida in her marriage to John Durham.

On 24 June 1991, Fred D. Durham stated in an affidavit that:
1. William Franklin Durham married three times and died testate on 13 January 1914 seised of real estate.
2. That the said William Franklin Durham left heirs: his third wife Mary Sheppard Durham whose maiden name was Mary Alice Shepperd (known as “Mollie” Sheppard) and surviving children:
A. Of his marriage to Mary Catherine Courtney (who died on 21 July 1864):
1. Pheida (Ida) Mertine Durham Covington
B. Of his second marriage, to Mary Ataline Durham (who died 21 May 1878):
1. William Franklin Durham, Jr.
2. Roland D. Durham
3. James Ware Durham
4. Tallie Twyman Durham
C. Born of his third marriage to Mary Alice Sheppard
1. Montague Fleet Durham
2. Smith Young Durham
3. Julia Durham Billups
4. Mary Sheppard Durham died 8 October 1944.
5. [not genealogically relevant]
6. William Franklin Durham Jr died on 22 February 1914 and devised to his wife Eva Coleman Durham.
7. The said Eva Coleman Durham died 30 July 1961 in the City of Richmond. She devised to her four grandchildren Anne Coleman Durham, Susan Victoria Durham, Eleanor Durham Angell and William Errett Durham.
8. The said Pheida (Ida) Mertine Durham Covington survived her father but died intestate on 4 June 1916 survived by her husband John Austin Covington, now deceased, and one son Walter F. Covington, and thereafter the son died intestate leaving two children Walter F. Covington, Jr., and Lillian Covington Eisenhart.
Signed Fred D. Durham, 24 June 1991. [Essex County, Virginia, Deed Book 184, page 1.]